Estimating Teratogenic Potential of Garbhachintamani Rasa in Wistar Albino Rats by Biochemical and Histological Changes

Introduction: Garbhachintamani Rasa is a herbo mineral drug used in Ayurveda during pregnancy that protects the fetus and also the pregnant mother from various diseases. In the present scenario, safety profile of drugs used in different stages of human development is very much mandatory. Thus the present study was aimed to evaluate the teratogenic potential of Garbhachintamani Rasa in Wistar albino rats. Method: The confirmed pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups of six rats each and drugs were administered till delivery. The teratogenic potential of test formulation was evaluated based on biochemical and histopathalogical examination of important organs in the offspring. Results: The biochemical and histopathalogical examination revealed that the test drug administered at therapeutic dose significantly increased uric acid and that of five times of therapeutic dose caused significant increase in the serum urea, Serum creatinine and uric acid levels, where as significant decrease in the serum SGOT was observed in comparison to normal control. The histopathalogical examination revealed almost normal cytoarchitecture in the therapeutic group, whereas at higher dose there was hyperemia, increased number of mature follicles. In ZnO treated group Mild to moderate epithelial proliferation in uterus, hyper activities of ovary and Myocarditis in heart were observed. Conclusion: Based on the findings it can be conclude that the test drug administered at therapeutic dose is relatively safer but at higher dose there is a chance of producing teratogenic potential.