ABSTRACT
AIM OF THE STUDY: Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. was commonly used to treat miscarriages clinically. The aim of this study was to examine its safety for embryonic development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups, i.e. mice were oral-treated with distilled water (G1), with Boehmeria nivea extract of 2, 8 or 32 g/kg/day (G2, G3 or G4), and with 3 doses of vitamin A of 200,000 IU/kg as positive controls (G5). Meanwhile, IC(50) values for both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and 3T3 cells were detected by cytotoxicity assays. RESULTS: (1) The resorptions and malformed fetuses in G5 were significantly higher than G1 (P<0.001), whereas the maternal body-weight and uterus-weight were lower than G1 (P<0.05); (2) there was no difference in the fetal body-weight, maternal relative body-weight gain, liver-, kidney- or heart-weight, relative organ-weight, and histological examination among five groups; (3) there was no difference in IC(50) values between ESCs and 3T3 cells, but high concentration of Boehmeria nivea extract might significantly lower ESCs' viability (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Boehmeria nivea extract at 32 g/kg/day did not cause significant embryotoxicity or maternal toxicity in mice, although it might cause cytotoxicity in cultured ESCs at a high dose.
Subject(s)
Boehmeria , Embryonic Development/drug effects , Embryonic Stem Cells/drug effects , Fetus/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , 3T3 Cells , Animals , Body Weight/drug effects , Female , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Mice , Mice, Inbred ICR , Mothers , Organ Size/drug effects , Pregnancy , Random Allocation , Uterus/drug effectsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials have investigated phytotherapy (PT) in the treatment of cervical cancer. This study aimed to assess the quality and data of current available trials, to compare the efficacy and safety of conventional therapies (CT) including surgical therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with that of CT plus PT (CT-PT), and to identify herbs used commonly in clinical trials. METHODS: Forty-three (43) electronic databases were searched. The quality of eligible trials was assessed by Jadad's scale, and Revman 5.0 software was used for data syntheses and analyses. RESULT: (1) Of the 48 potential trials retrieved, 18 trials involving 1657 patients met the inclusion criteria, and two trials were graded as high-quality trials; (2) CT-PT achieved a higher 1-year survival rate (SR, p = 0.0002) and tumor remission rate (TRR, p < 0.0001) than CT alone; (3) PT showed therapeutic effects comparable to those of Western medications in diminishing vesical complications (VC, p < 0.0001) and rectal complications (RC, p = 0.08) caused by CT; (4) top 15 herbs used frequently to improve SR or TRR and to treat VC or RC in the retrieved trials were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant PT may improve the efficacy and safety of CT in clinical treatments of cervical cancer, although this result needs to be further verified by more high-quality trials.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/adverse effects , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Clinical Trials as Topic , Female , Humans , Remission Induction , Survival Rate , Treatment Outcome , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/mortalityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Scutellaria baicalensis is a perennial herbaceous plant widely distributed in Oriental areas. Its roots, a commonly used medicinal source, reputedly calm fetuses in pregnant women; however, there is no sufficient evidence to date to assess its safety during pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the effects of S. baicalensis aqueous extract on embryonic development in ICR mice. METHODS: Aqueous extract of S. baicalensis roots was prepared in accordance with clinical application. Pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., mice treated by gavage with water as negative control, with aqueous extract of 2 (1.8 times of human daily dose), 8 or 32 g/kg/day from gestation day (Gd) 6 to 15 as low-, middle-, and high-dose groups, respectively. The parameters of live and dead fetuses, resorptions, external and skeletal malformed fetuses, maternal body weight, maternal liver, kidneys, and heart weights were evaluated on Gd 18. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in fetal parameters among four groups. Maternal absolute liver and kidneys weights in the high-dose group were significantly higher than those in negative control (p<0.05). Relative liver and kidneys weights in this group were significantly higher than those in any other group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of aqueous extract of S. baicalensis roots at or below 32 g/kg/day to ICR mice during organogenesis did not cause significant fetal external or skeletal malformations. However, 32 g/kg/day presented potential maternal toxicity.
