Bocconia frutescens L. induces neurological defects in rat offspring.

Nearly 80% of the world's population trusts traditional medicine and plant-based drug compounds to improve health, and more than 50% of women who participated in a study have used herbal remedies during pregnancy. Bocconia frutescens L. is a plant native to tropical America, where infusion of its leaves has been widely used for the treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders. We have already shown that orogastric consumption of B. frutescens L. during the organogenesis period at concentrations equivalent to human consumption produces teratogenic effects in rats, but effects on progeny development have not yet been studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association between the consumption of B. frutescens L. at a dose equivalent to that consumed by humans and the neurological development of rat progeny. Pregnant Wistar rats were administered lyophilized B. frutescens L. extract at 300 mg/kg/day or vehicle via the orogastric route during the organogenesis period (gestation days 7-13). The physical development and sensory and motor maturation of their offspring during lactation were analyzed with a battery of reflex and physical tests. B. frutescens L. produced a significant delay in physical development and sensorimotor maturation, compared to the control group. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis showed signals for both flavonoids and alkaloids in the B. frutescens L. extract. We conclude that the delay in physical and neurological development could be interpreted as alterations in the maturation of some neuronal circuitries induced by B. frutescens L.

Teratogenic effects of Bocconia frutescens L.

It is estimated that 80% of the world population trusts traditional medicine. A large number of Americans use infusions of Bocconia frutescens L. leaves to treat cough and gastrointestinal disorders. However, phytochemical studies reveal that this plant contains alkaloids and other potentially harmful substances. This study aimed to evaluate the teratogenic effects of B. frutescens L. in an experimental model. Pregnant Wistar rats were administered lyophilized B. frutescens L. extract at 300 mg/kg/day or vehicle by orogastric route during the organogenesis period (gestation days 7-13), and external and internal congenital malformations were analyzed on the progeny on gestational day 20. Bocconia frutescens L. produced a significant increase in the number of different malformations, relative to the control group. We conclude that the consumption of B. frutescens L. during pregnancy at a dose equivalent to that consumed by humans increases the risk of teratogenic effects.