Observation of External Malformations

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 27 views

Teratogenic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Tanoh Pugun Leaves (Picria Fel-Terrae Lour.) Against Female Mouse Fetus

Introduction

Pugun Tanoh (Picria Fel-Terrae Lour.) is a medicinal plant that has been widely recognized for its various properties, including antihypertension, hepatoprotector, and cardioprotector. This plant has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and its potential as a safe and practical herbal medicine has opened up new opportunities for its development. However, with the increasing use of herbal medicine, it is essential to investigate the potential side effects, particularly the teratogenic effect on the fetus.

Background

Teratogenic effects refer to the ability of a substance to cause birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus. The teratogenic potential of a substance is a critical factor in the development of herbal medicine, especially for pregnant women. The use of herbal medicine during pregnancy can pose a risk to the fetus, and it is essential to investigate the teratogenic effects of these substances to ensure their safety.

Methodology

A study was conducted to investigate the teratogenic impact of the ethanol extract of tanoh pugun leaves in the female mouse fetus. A total of 25 mouse pregnant women were divided into five treatment groups. The first group served as a control and received a Na 0.5%CMC suspension, while the second, third, and fourth group was given a suspension of the ethanol extract of the pugun tanoh leaf with a dose of 125 mg/kg BW, 500 mg/kg BW, and 1000 mg/kg BW, respectively. The fifth group was a positive control given by Gabapentin 50 mg/kg BW. The treatment was given orally during the period of organogenesis, namely on the 6th to 15th day of pregnancy. After that, on the 19th day, laparotomy was performed on the mother mouse to remove the fetus from the uterus and observe the appearance of reproduction, external malformations, and skeletal malformations.

Results

The results showed that the administration of ethanol extract of tanoh pugun leaves at a dose of 125 mg/kg body weight, 500 mg/kg BW, and 1000 mg/kg BW caused a significant effect (p <0.05) on the weight and length of fetal body, increased the number of fetus dies, as well as the occurrence of resorption and hemoragi when compared to the normal control group. In addition, an abnormality in the uterus was found, where two of the five mothers who were given a dose of 500 mg/kg BW had a uterine distension, while one parent at a dose of 1000 mg/kg BW experienced constricted uterus.

Observation of External Malformations

Observation of external malformations revealed the presence of micromelia in all dose of ethanol extract and in positive control groups, while body shape disorders such as humpback body and defect in motion members were found only in the fetus of groups that receive a dose of 1000 mg/kg BW.

Skeletal Malformations

In the skeletal section, delays in ossification in the cranial, trunkus, metacarpus, metatarsus, falangs, and malformations in the costae and vertebrae were found in all doses of ethanol extracts and positive control groups.

Conclusion

From this study, it can be concluded that the ethanol extract of tanoh pugun leaves has a tangible teratogenic effect on the fetal of female mice when given during the period of organogenesis. This finding is important to consider, especially in the development of herbal medicine that is safe for pregnant women, to avoid risks that can harm the fetus. Further research is needed to explore the teratogenic potential of other herbal ingredients and provide a deeper understanding related to the safety of herbal use during pregnancy.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to explore the teratogenic potential of other herbal ingredients.
The safety of herbal use during pregnancy should be a priority in the development of herbal medicine.
Pregnant women should be advised to consult with a healthcare professional before using herbal medicine.
The teratogenic effects of herbal medicine should be investigated thoroughly before its use in pregnant women.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted on female mouse fetus, and the results may not be applicable to human pregnancy.
The study only investigated the teratogenic effects of ethanol extract of tanoh pugun leaves, and other herbal ingredients may have different effects.
The study did not investigate the mechanism of action of the ethanol extract of tanoh pugun leaves.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

Investigate the teratogenic effects of other herbal ingredients.
Explore the mechanism of action of herbal medicine on the developing fetus.
Develop safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of investigating the teratogenic effects of herbal medicine, particularly in pregnant women. The findings of this study suggest that the ethanol extract of tanoh pugun leaves has a tangible teratogenic effect on the fetal of female mice. Further research is needed to explore the teratogenic potential of other herbal ingredients and provide a deeper understanding related to the safety of herbal use during pregnancy.
Q&A: Teratogenic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Tanoh Pugun Leaves (Picria Fel-Terrae Lour.) Against Female Mouse Fetus

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the teratogenic effects of the ethanol extract of tanoh pugun leaves in the female mouse fetus.

Q: What is teratogenic effect?

A: Teratogenic effect refers to the ability of a substance to cause birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it highlights the importance of investigating the teratogenic effects of herbal medicine, particularly in pregnant women.

Q: What are the potential risks of using herbal medicine during pregnancy?

A: The potential risks of using herbal medicine during pregnancy include the teratogenic effects of the substance, which can cause birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include the fact that it was conducted on female mouse fetus, and the results may not be applicable to human pregnancy. Additionally, the study only investigated the teratogenic effects of ethanol extract of tanoh pugun leaves, and other herbal ingredients may have different effects.

Q: What are the recommendations for pregnant women who want to use herbal medicine?

A: Pregnant women who want to use herbal medicine should consult with a healthcare professional before using it. They should also be aware of the potential risks of using herbal medicine during pregnancy and take necessary precautions.

Q: What are the future directions for this research?

A: Future studies should aim to investigate the teratogenic effects of other herbal ingredients, explore the mechanism of action of herbal medicine on the developing fetus, and develop safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women.

Q: What are the potential applications of this research?

A: The potential applications of this research include the development of safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women, and the prevention of birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this research?

A: The potential benefits of this research include the prevention of birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus, and the development of safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women.

Q: What are the potential risks of not conducting this research?

A: The potential risks of not conducting this research include the continued use of herbal medicine during pregnancy without proper investigation of its teratogenic effects, which can lead to birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Q: What are the potential consequences of this research?

A: The potential consequences of this research include the development of safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women, and the prevention of birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Q: What are the potential implications of this research?

A: The potential implications of this research include the need for further investigation of the teratogenic effects of herbal medicine, and the development of guidelines for the safe use of herbal medicine during pregnancy.

Q: What are the potential outcomes of this research?

A: The potential outcomes of this research include the development of safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women, and the prevention of birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Q: What are the potential recommendations for future research?

A: Future research should aim to investigate the teratogenic effects of other herbal ingredients, explore the mechanism of action of herbal medicine on the developing fetus, and develop safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women.

Q: What are the potential benefits of future research?

A: The potential benefits of future research include the prevention of birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus, and the development of safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women.

Q: What are the potential risks of future research?

A: The potential risks of future research include the continued use of herbal medicine during pregnancy without proper investigation of its teratogenic effects, which can lead to birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Q: What are the potential consequences of future research?

A: The potential consequences of future research include the development of safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women, and the prevention of birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Q: What are the potential implications of future research?

A: The potential implications of future research include the need for further investigation of the teratogenic effects of herbal medicine, and the development of guidelines for the safe use of herbal medicine during pregnancy.

Q: What are the potential outcomes of future research?

A: The potential outcomes of future research include the development of safe and effective herbal medicine for pregnant women, and the prevention of birth defects or abnormalities in the developing fetus.