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Research Article

Absence of maternal-fetal adverse effects of Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv. following treatment during pregnancy in mice

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ABSTRACT

Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv is a plant native to Brazil that exhibits various beneficial activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the ethanol extract of Alternanthera littoralis (EEAl) on reproductive outcomes, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity of pregnant female mice. Pregnant Swiss female mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 10): controls were administered either 1% Tween 80 (vehicle), EEAl 100 mg/kg or EEAl 1000 mg/kg. Treatment was administered through gavage during the gestational period until day 18. On gestational days 16, 17, and 18, a peripheral blood sample from the tail vein was obtained for DNA integrity analysis (micronucleus test). After the last collection, animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Maternal organs and fetuses were collected, weighed, and subsequently analyzed. Reproductive outcome parameters were assessed by measurement of number of implants, live fetuses, and resorptions. Embryonic development was determined by adequacy of weight for gestational age as well as determination of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Data demonstrated that EEAl did not produce maternal toxicity at either dose associated with no marked alterations in any of the reproductive outcome parameters including implantation sites, live/dead fetuses ratio, fetal viability, post-implantation losses, resorptions, and resorption rate. However, EEAl 1000 group reduced embryofetal development by lowering placental weight. In addition, there was an increase in the frequency of external and skeletal malformations in the EEAl 1000 group, which could not be attributed to extract exposure as these values were within control levels. Based upon our findings, evidence indicates that the EEAl at the concentrations employed in our study may be considered safe for use during pregnancy and extracts of this plant show potential for development of phytomedicines to be used in pregnancy.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the CNPq, FUNDECT, CAPES, FAPESPA and UFMS for providing various research grants and to Prof. Dr. Josafá Carlos de Siqueira for identifying the plant material. We are also grateful to FAPESP and FAEPEX-UNICAMP (Fundo de Apoio ao Ensino, à Pesquisa e à Extensão) and PROPESP/UFPA.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (RJO) upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by FUNDECT, Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil (Capes) - Code Funding 001, Support Foundation for the Development of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso do Sul, UFMS, FAPESP (21/09693-5; 15/03726-8 and 06/06079-4), FAEPEX-UNICAMP (Fundo de Apoio ao Ensino, à Pesquisa e à Extensão), CNPQ (316246/2021-2, Grant Term 1089700081951461, 315279/2021-4 and 313798/2022-2) and FAPESPA (2022/1437745).

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