Teratogenic effect of Aesculus hippocastanum L. extract on fetal development in rats

Objective Many cultures use herbal medicines in pregnancy as a safer treatment than traditional medicine to promote the mother and/or baby health. Horse chestnut, a medicinal herb that mainly contains aescin, is used for its vagotonic impact, vascular protection, and antiedematous properties. This research sought to assess the impact of prenatal administration of horse chestnut extract on fetal development of rats, which is a novel achievement in teratogenesis studies.Methods Pregnant rats were allocated randomly into four groups. Horse chestnut extract was administered through oral gavage to the animals from day 0 to day 16 of pregnancy at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg. On day 18, after the cesarean process, the effects of the extract were estimated by morphological, skeletal, and histological studies.Results Administration of the extract resulted in a substantial decrease in weight, head diameter, tail diameter, and crown-rump length of fetuses. There were no malformations and no lack of toes and legs, and all internal organs of the fetus were completely formed. Also, there was no difference in the overall skeletal opacity and density between the control and treatment groups. Moreover, heart cells and neurons were seen in all the groups but the formation of the central vein, portal area, and hepatic sinusoids were not observed in groups that received the extract.Conclusion The result of this study revealed that oral administration of horse chestnut extract in pregnant rats could cause teratogenicity. However, some additional clinical studies may be necessary but according to our data, consumption of this herbal extract during pregnancy is not recommended.

Automated summary

This study found that oral administration of horse chestnut extract in pregnant rats may cause teratogenic effects.