Teratogenic effects of aqueous extract of Ficus glomerata leaf during embryonic development in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Over the past few decades, many reports were published in scientific journals describing medicinal properties of Ficusglomerata (FG). However, its effects on embryonic development and its safety characteristics have not been studied.The purpose of this investigation was to determine lethal concentration 50 (LC50) and study the effect of aqueousextract of FG leaf (AEFG) on developmental abnormalities in zebrafish embryos. LC50 value of AEFG was calculatedby using probit analysis. Effect on percentage hatchability, heartbeat rate, total body length, and developmentalmorphological abnormalities, i.e., delayed growth, abnormal movement, tail detachment, abnormal head-trunkangle, scoliosis/flexure, and yolk sac edema were recorded. AEFG revealed LC50 of 239.88 ppm. The result showeda significant reduction in percent hatchability (p < 0.05), heartbeat rate (p < 0.001), total body length (p < 0.001),and developmental morphological abnormalities in the embryos treated with AEFG. This research can be used inconsidering the safety of an AEFG extract for their use during pre-conception or early pregnancy period.