Retarded hippocampal development following prenatal exposure to ethanolic leaves extract of Datura metel in wistar rats.

BACKGROUND

Datura metel contains atropine alkaloids and has been used to treat complication like asthma and, bronchitis, because of its anticholinergic properties.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the prenatal effects of ethanolic extract of D. metel leaves exposure on the development of hippocampus.

METHODS

Twenty rats (12 females and 8 males) were purchased. The females were grouped into four groups (A_D). Group A were given 500 mg/kg body weight of the extract on the first day of fertilization to the end of gestation period, Group B were given 500 mg/kg body weight on the 8(th) day of fertilization to the end of gestation period, Group C were given 500 mg/kg body weight on 15(th) day of fertilization to the end of gestation period and Group D were given normal saline throughout the gestation period.

RESULTS

Rats in Group A showed no implantation, rats in Group B had abortion on the 7(th) day after administration, and rats in Group C gave birth with their litters showing retarded hippocampus development and neural degeneration and rats in Group D (control) showed normal development.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethanolic extract of D. metel leaf is teratogenic in the late stage of pregnancy, is abortificient and can serve as a contraceptive.