Evaluation of Tratogenic Effects of Matricaria Chammomilla in Balb/C Mouse

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Abstract

Introduction: In many countries, the use of plants and natural products is popular as
an alternative to classic medical care. Lack of information about the toxic effects of
such plants allows them to be used for medical treatment. Matricaria chammomilla,
with the Persian name of “Baboune”, belongs to the family Compositae and has been
known for hundreds of years. The aim of this study was evaluation of tratogenic
effects of matericavia ehammomillio in Balb/C Mouse.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done in Mashhad in 2004-
2005. Chammomilla is a herbal medicine and has unwanted effects on embryos. For
this study the flowers of Matricaria chammomilla were used which contain numerous
constituents including: terpenoids, biosabolo oxidase, chamazulene, sesquiterpenes,
flavonoids, apigenin, luteoline, quercetin, anthemic acid, choline, tannin, ploysaccharides.
In this study, the embryo Toxicity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of chammomilla
was evaluated, applying the standard method for this purpose. Maximum tolerated
doses of the two extracts were determined and appropriate doses were administered
intraperitonely to pregnant mice on day 7-9 of gestation . Embryos were then
harvested by caesarian section on 15.5 day of gestation and examined for
morphologic and histologic characteristics.
Results: Aqueous and methanolic extracts of chammomilla caused significant
decrease in weight and crown – rump (CR) measurments of embryos (P<0.05). Also
uterus weight of mice in the treatment group showed significant decrease (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this investigation showed that many compounds of
aqueous and methanolic extracts of M.chammomilla have effects on development of
Mice embroy. The results of this study suggest that the pergnant women should not
use formulations containing this plant. 

Keywords

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
September 2007
Pages 33-38

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