Repercussões maternas do tratamento com extrato da fruta de Buchenavia tomentosa durante a prenhez de ratas

Abstract

The consumption of medicinal plants is widely used by the population for the treatment of various diseases. However, many plants can produce toxic effects, especially if consumed during pregnancy. A plant without scientific evidence of its toxicity during pregnancy is Buchenavia tomentosa, popularly known as Mirindiba. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of B. tomentosa fruit on biochemical parameters and reproductive performance at pregnancy rats. For this, Wistar rats were mated and randomized into three experimental groups (n=12 rats/group), with rats treated with water (Control) or treated with B. tomentosa at a dose of 250 (Treated 250) or 500 mg /kg (Treated 500). Treatment with aqueous extract of B. tomentosa was performed daily orally during pregnancy (days 0 to 21). Body weight, food and water intake were measured weekly. On the 21st day of pregnancy, laparotomy was performed with blood collection for biochemical analysis and collection of maternal organs for weighing. The uterine horns were removed for verification of maternal reproductive performance data. The results appreciated that treatment with B. tomentosa causes changes in the indirect parameters of maternal toxicity (decreased feed intake and relative increase in kidney weight), although without changing the biochemical parameters. The group treated with the lowest dose of the aqueous extract exhibited a smaller number of live fetuses and a lower weight of the gravid uterus. In addition, consumption of the plant, regardless of the dose, caused embryonic losses confirmed by the lower number of implantations and pre-embryo losses at the beginning of pregnancy. In conclusion, the results indicate that treatment with the aqueous extract of B. tomentosa fruit during pregnancy induces maternal toxicity and impairs embryonic implantation, indicating that the fruit of the plant should be avoided during pregnancy.