The antiimplantation, antifertility and reproductive toxicity potentia
ls after ingestion of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Salvia frutico
sa leaves have been investigated in male and female rats. The ingestio
n of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of aqueous or 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extra
cts of S. fruticosa from day one to day six of pregnancy by female rat
s did not cause pregnancy failure. However, the ingestion of an ethano
lic extract reduced the number of viable fetuses and increased the num
ber of resorptions in the pregnant rats. The ingestion of aqueous extr
act (800 mg/kg) or ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) of S. fruticosa for 3
0 consecutive days by adult female rats had no effect on the occurrenc
e of pregnancy. However, the ingestion of these extracts reduced both
the number of implantations and viable fetuses and increased the numbe
r of resorptions in the pregnant females. The ingestion of aqueous ext
ract (800 mg/kg) or ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) of S. fruticosa for
30 consecutive days by adult male rats had no effect on the number of
females impregnated by these males. However, the number of implantatio
ns and viable fetuses were reduced in females impregnated by males whi
ch ingested either aqueous or ethanolic extracts of S. fruticosa, wher
eas the number of resorptions was increased in females impregnated by
males administered either aqueous or ethanolic extracts of S. fruticos
a. On the other hand, the prenatal exposure of male and female rat off
spring to 400 mg/kg ethanolic extract of S. fruticosa had no effects o
n the timing of testicular descent and vaginal opening, respectively.
It would appear from these experiments that the ingestion of S. frutic
osa may produce adverse effects on the fertility of male and female ra
ts. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights res
erved.