Pregnancy Outcomes in Rats Treated With 70% Alcoholic <i>Rhamnus prinoides</i> Leaf Extract: Evidence From a Teratogenicity Study

Background Rhamnus prinoides is widely used to produce traditional beverages consumed by pregnant women and for the treatment of various diseases. Scientific evidence regarding the safety profile, especially during pregnancy, of R. prinoides is limited. Thus, this study investigated the toxic effect of R. prinoides on pregnancy outcomes. Material and Methods Pregnant rats were assigned to three treatment groups and one control group. Each rat in the treatment groups was medicated with low (250 mg/kg), middle (500 mg/kg), and high (1000 mg/kg) doses of 70% alcoholic R. prinoides extract, while the control rats received distilled water. The treatment was administered from Day 6–12 of gestation. Food intake and weight gain of the pregnant dam were measured. At Day 20 of gestation, pregnant rats were sacrificed by an overdose of anesthesia to expose the gravid uterus. The number of resorptions, implantation sites, and live fetuses, as well as the weight and crown rump length of the fetuses, were measured. Fetuses were also examined for any external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. In addition, the placenta was investigated for histopathological changes. Results Pregnant rats’ feeding status and body weight progression during gestation were not significantly affected by the administration of R. prinoides . The number of resorption sites and live fetuses, as well as the crown rump length of the fetuses, were significantly diminished in rats treated with 1000 mg/kg of R. prinoides extract compared to the control groups. The other parameters did not show significant variation between the treatment and control groups. Similarly, no significant malformations were observed in the structure of the placenta, skeleton, or visceral organs of the fetuses. Conclusion Consumption of R. prinoides in higher doses may hamper the receptive capacity of the uterus and the development of rat fetuses. Therefore, it is not recommended to use R. prinoides leaves at high doses during pregnancy.