Repercussões fetais do tratamento com Buchenavia tomentosa durante a prenhez de ratas

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants is widespread among the population. However, many plants may have toxic effect, teratogenic and abortive potential when consumed during pregnancy, as some active ingredients can cross the placental membrane and reaching the fetus. One of these plants without scientific proof of it is toxicity and effectiveness during pregnancy is Buchenavia tomentosa, popularly known as mirindiba. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the fetal repercussions of treatment with the aqueous extract of B. tomentosa fruit in pregnant rats. For this, Wistar rats were mated and randomly distributed into four experimental groups (n=12 rats/group): Control Group - Pregnant rats treated with water; Treated Group 125 - Pregnant rats treated with B. tomentosa at a dose of 125 mg/kg; Treated Group 250 - Pregnant rats treated with B. tomentosa at a dose of 250 mg/Kg and Treated Group 500 - Pregnant rats treated with B. tomentosa at a dose of 500 mg/Kg. Treatment with the aqueous extract of the fruit was carried out throughout the pregnancy (days 0 to 21), intragastrically. On the 21st day of pregnancy, a laparotomy was performed and the fetuses and their respective placentas were immediately removed and weighed, for subsequent analysis of external and internal anomalies (visceral and skeletal). The results showed that there were no changes in fetal weight, fetal classification and placental weight between the groups evaluated. Placental efficiency decreased in the Treated 125 and 250 groups compared to the Control group. The Treated 250 and 500 groups increased the incidence of skeletal anomalies, and all treated groups showed an increase in visceral anomalies compared to the Control group. In conclusion, the results indicate that treatment with the aqueous extract of Buchenavia tomentosa fruit during pregnancy can be considered teratogenic, damaging the skeletal and visceral development of the offspring, indicating that the plant's fruit should be avoided during pregnancy.