Perinatal toxicology of Ruta chalepensis (Rutaceae) in mice

Dried leaf infusions of Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae), 'rue', 'ruda', were found to cause perinatal changes in mice, at daily doses of 0.16, 0.80 and 1.60 g/kg, administered po from 1 to 14 days post coitum. Significant decreases in the appearance time of physical signs, righting reflex and cliff avoidance together with minus scores in string test and swimming ability were observed. Moreover, histological studies showed progressive angiogenic development on placenta blood supply and weakness at blood barrier in brain, thymus and pery-lymph vestibule. We found out that the results tend to confirm the embryotoxic effect of the plant and its harmful use. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.