REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY POTENTIALS OF SALVIA-FRUTICOSA (LABIATAE) IN RATS

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.