Induction of developmental toxicity in mice treated withAlstonia scholaris (Sapthaparna) In utero

A Complete Review of Mexican Plants with Teratogenic Effects

In Mexico, the use of medicinal plants is the first alternative to treat the diseases of the most economically vulnerable population. Therefore, this review offers a list of Mexican plants (native and introduced) with teratogenic effects and describes their main alterations, teratogenic compounds, and the models and doses used. Our results identified 63 species with teratogenic effects (19 native) and the main alterations that were found in the nervous system and axial skeleton, induced by compounds such as alkaloids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Additionally, a group of hallucinogenic plants rich in alkaloids employed by indigenous groups without teratogenic studies were identified. Our conclusion shows that several of the identified species are employed in Mexican traditional medicine and that the teratogenic species most distributed in Mexico are Astragalus mollissimus, Astragalus lentiginosus, and Lupinus formosus. Considering the total number of plants in Mexico (≈29,000 total vascular plants), to date, existing research in the area shows that Mexican plants with teratogenic effects represent ≈0.22% of the total species of these in the country. This indicates a clear need to intensify the evaluation of the teratogenic effect of Mexican plants.

Genotoxicity and Safety Pharmacology Studies of Indole Alkaloids Extract from Leaves of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br

Indole alkaloids extract (IAAS) was prepared from leaves of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., an evergreen tropical plant widely distributed throughout the world. This plant has been used historically by the Dai ethnic people of China to treat respiratory diseases. This study evaluated the genotoxicity and safety pharmacology of IAAS to support clinical use. The bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test, in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test, and in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus (MN) test were performed to evaluate genotoxicity. Mice were administered IAAS (240, 480, or 960 mg/kg bw) once orally to observe adverse central nervous system effects. Furthermore, beagle dogs were administered IAAS (10, 30, 60 mg/kg bw) once via the duodenum to evaluate its effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. IAAS with or without S9-induced metabolic activation showed no genotoxicity in the Ames test up to 500 μg/plate, in the mammalian chromosomal aberration test up to 710 μg/mL, or in the MN test up to 800 mg/kg bw. No abnormal neurobehavioral effects were observed in mice following treatment with up to 960 mg/kg bw of IAAS. Moreover, blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram parameters, and depth and rate of breathing in anesthetized beagle dogs did not differ among the IAAS doses or from the vehicle group. These data indicated that IAAS did not induce mutagenicity, clastogenicity, or genotoxicity, and no pharmaco-toxicological effects were observed in the respiratory, cardiovascular, or central nervous systems. Our results increased understanding of safety considerations associated with IAAS, and may indicate that IAAS is a possible drug candidate.

Review of the phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of Alstonia Scholaris Linn. R. Br (Saptaparna)

The use of ethnornedical information has immensely contributed to health care, and scientific studies have shown that the evaluation of traditionally used medicines may provide leads towards effective drug discovery. Since antiquity, Alstonia scholaris connmonly known as devil's tree has been used for the treatment of many human ailments. Literature suggests that Alstonia scholaris is useful in treating malaria, abdominal disorders, dyspepsia, leprosy, skin diseases, tumors, chronic and foul ulcers, asthma, bronchitis, helminthiasis, agalactia, and debility. Preclinical studies have shown that it possesses anti-microbial, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-plasmodial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective, nootrophic, anti-stress, anti-fertility, immunomodulatory, analgesic, anti-ulcer, wound healing, anti-cancer, chemopreventive, radiation protection, radiation sensitization, and chemosensitization activities. The diverse pharmacological observations are supposed to be due to the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The bark and leaf extract when administered orally did not induce lethality or adverse affects at the limit doses of 2 000 mg/kg body weight. However when administered intraperitoneally at high concentrations, the extract showed systemic and developmental toxicities. This review addresses the experimentally authenticated facts and also suggests the need for research on chemical and pharmacological properties of Alstonia scholaris.

Alstonia scholaris Linn R Br in the treatment and prevention of cancer: past, present, and future

Alstonia scholaris, commonly known as devil's tree, is an important medicinal plant in the various folk and traditional systems of medicine in Asia, Australia, and Africa. The decoction, mostly prepared from the bark, is used to treat a variety of diseases of which the most important is malaria. Furthermore, ethnomedicinal practices also suggest it to be of use in treating cancer, and preclinical studies performed with cultured neoplastic cells and tumor-bearing animals having validated these observations. Additionally, the phytochemicals like echitamine, alstonine, pleiocarpamine, O-methylmacralstonine, macralstonine, and lupeol are also reported to possess antineoplastic effects. In addition to the cytotoxic effects, A scholaris is also observed to possess radiomodulatory, chemomodulatory, and chemopreventive effects and free-radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and immunomodulatory activities, all of which are properties efficacious in the treatment and prevention of cancer. The current review for the first time summarizes the results related to these properties. An attempt is also made to address the lacunae in these published studies and emphasize aspects that need further investigations for it to be of use in clinics in the future.

An in vivo murine model of rosiglitazone use in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To identify the effects of rosiglitazone use during murine pregnancy.

DESIGN

The effect of rosiglitazone on blastocyst development was determined by culturing two-cell mouse embryos with rosiglitazone for 72 hours. From January to June 2005, five independent groups of ICR/CD1 female mice were treated with rosiglitazone during pregnancy, from the time of identification of seminal plugs until delivery of pups.

SETTING

Controlled animal facility.

ANIMAL(S)

Two-cell mouse embryos and an outbred line of mice, ICR/CD1.

INTERVENTION(S)

Two-cell embryos were cocultured with rosiglitazone (10 microM) for 72 hours and scored. Ten-week-old female ICR mice were mated. Females with seminal plugs then were randomized to rosiglitazone (10 or 0.1 mg/kg per day) or to carrier alone, by gavage, until delivery. Weekly weights were obtained, and pregnancy outcomes were documented.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Blastocyst development, number of pups and pup weights, and morphological changes.

RESULT(S)

Embryos exposed to rosiglitazone progressed to the blastocyst stage within 72 hours. Pregnant animals demonstrated normal weight gain throughout pregnancy. Postnatal growth and litter size were not statistically different between groups. No changes in normal mouse neonate development were observed.

CONCLUSION(S)

Rosiglitazone did not impair murine blastocyst development in vitro or cause phenotypic harm to the mouse fetus when administered during pregnancy, suggesting potential safety for rosiglitazone use in pregnancy.