Effects of Saint John’s wort on the fetus in pregnant rats

Abstract

Introduction: Because of the toxic and teratologic side effects that might developinto the fetus, the number of drugs that can be used in the treatment ofdepression seen in pregnancy is very limited. In this study, we investigatedwhether the Saint John’s wort used during pregnancy has side effects on theliver of fetus.Methods: Thirteen Wistar albino female rats were used in this study. The animalsdivided into two groups as 8 rats for the experimental group and 5 rats for thecontrol group. The animals detected forpregnancy in the experimental group were fed with the Saint John’s wort extractas 100 mg/kg/day through orogastric probe from the first day of the pregnancy.The animals in the control group were fed with 2 ml distiled water through anorogastric probe every day begining from the first day of the pregnancy. Thenewborn pups were taken. Their liver tissues were harvested and investigated afterthe tissue processing and staining procedure.Results: Microvesicular lipidosis and hydropic degeneration were observed inhistopathological evaluation of the harvested tissues of experimental group.Conclusion: As a result, there is not enough data in the literature in order toclaim that Saint John’s worth is reliable for the pregnant women or fetus. Itis important for the physician to evaluate the complaints related to the use ofpregnancy and to raise the awareness of the physicians in the first stage ofthe pregnancy follow-up. For the usage of this herb as an alternative oraddition to antidepressive drugs more preclinical (basic) and clinical studiesneed to be performed.

Keywords

• kantaron otu
• fetüs
• karaciğer
• saint john’s wort
• fetus
• liver