Preclinical Developmental Toxicity Evaluation of the Aqueous andEthanolic Extracts of Ageratum Conyzoides (Asteraceae) in WistarRat Models

Authors

  • Ngo Biyiha Marilyn Orlane Ara Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon Author
  • Estella Tembe Fokunang Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon Author
  • Mbong Grace Annih Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of DSc hang, Cameroon Author
  • Bayaga Hervé Narcisse Department of Plant Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon Author
  • Tabi Yves Omgba Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon Author
  • Njinkio Nono Borgia Legrand Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon Author
  • Fokunang Charles Ntungwen Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon Author

Keywords:

Ageratum Conyzoides, Organogenesis, Developmental Toxicity, Female Rats, Offspring

Abstract

Introduction: Ageratum conyzoides L. (Family Asteraceae) is an annual herb with a long history of traditional medicinal use in the tropical and sub-tropical region of the world. Its use in pregnancy necessitates a study. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating A. conyzoides for potential developmental toxicity in female Wistar rats.

Methodology: The pregnant rats were treated with 0 mg/kg (only distilled water) or 500 mg/kg of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves, flowers, stems and combined aerial parts of A. conyzoides. The extracts of the aerial parts of A. conyzoides were administered orally throughout the period of organogenesis of females (5th to the 15th day of gestation). The dams were sacrificed on day 23 or allowed to deliver and wean. Maternal signs of toxicity were monitored throughout the gestational period. The duration of pregnancy, number and weight of neonates, live births and number of dead fetuses were determined immediately after parturition. Each litter was followed up for a period of 28 days post-partum and different parameters related to their growth were recorded.

Results: The flower aqueous extract administration to dams induced prolonged labor which lasted 5 to 6 hours. Also, the administration of the aqueous extract of the whole aerial part of A. conyzoides to the dams led to the delivery of no pups. In the treatment (500 mg/kg) groups, no gross abnormalities were observed during offspring examination. The follow-up of the offspring for a duration of 28 days post-partum revealed a significant increase in the weight of the pups from dams delivered by compared to the control group receiving only distilled water.

Conclusion: This study has shown that, the administration of the aqueous extract of the combined aerial part of A. conyzoides interrupts pregnancies when administered to dams from the 5th to the 15th day of gestation. In addition, the administration of the flower aqueous extract of A. conyzoides to pregnant rats induces prolonged labor. Also, A. conyzoides extracts do not adversely affect offspring growth following exposure during pregnancy

Author Biographies

  • Ngo Biyiha Marilyn Orlane Ara, Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Estella Tembe Fokunang, Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Mbong Grace Annih, Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of DSc hang, Cameroon

    Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of DSc hang, Cameroon

  • Bayaga Hervé Narcisse, Department of Plant Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon

    Department of Plant Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon

  • Tabi Yves Omgba, Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Njinkio Nono Borgia Legrand, Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Fokunang Charles Ntungwen, Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Department of Pharmaco-toxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

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Published

2024-06-12

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2024): Volume 5 Issue 2

Section

Articles