The effect of tanshinone IIA on renal and liver functions in ovine fetuses in utero

Abstract

This was the first study in determination of the effects of the herbal medicine, Danshen, on fetal hepatic and renal functions in utero. Tanshinone IIA, an active ingredient of Danshen, was tested in the experimental fetal model. Three doses (20, 40, or 80 mg) of tanshinone IIA and 0.9% NaCl (as the control) were intravenously (i.v.) administrated into pregnant ewes. Both maternal and fetal blood samples were collected and analyzed for renal and liver functions by examining the enzymes and renal excretion. The results showed that tanshinone IIA did not alter fetal urine volume, urine electrolytes, and osmolality. Enzyme activities related to the hepatic and renal functions were not changed. In addition, maternal application of tanshinone IIA had no effect of maternal and fetal lipid profile. The results demonstrated that tanshinone IIA used during the last third of gestation did not cause the biochemical changes related to renal and liver functions in both the mother and fetus. This provides new information to guide the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy.

Keywords::

• Tanshinone IIA
• pregnancy
• fetus
• heptic and renal functions

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Wu Lei, Chen Yu, and Chen BX for help with the manuscript for this article. This work was supported, in part, by the National Natural Science Foundation (no. 30871400), a Jiangsu Natural Science Key Grant (BK2006703), a Jiangsu Higher Education Natural Science Grant (08KJB320013), a Suzhou Key Lab Grant (SZS0602), a Suda Program Project Grant (no. 90134602), a Suzhou International Scientific Cooperation Grant (N2134703), a Suzhou Social Developmental Grant (no. SS08045,SS08018), and a Suda Medical Key Grant (EE134704). YZ, NC, and CM contributed equally to this work.

Decleration of interest: There is no conflict of interest.