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Published on: August 13, 2019
Impact effects of puerarin on mouse embryonic development
Chia-Chi Chen1, Wen-Hsiung Chan
1Department of Bioscience Technology and Center for Nanotechnology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung Li 32023, Taiwan.
Abstract:
In this report, we examine the cytotoxic effects of puerarin, an isoflavone compound, on the blastocyst stage of mouse embryos and subsequent embryonic attachment and outgrowth in vitro and in vivo implantation by embryo transfer. Mouse blastocysts were incubated in medium with or without puerarin (2.5, 5 or 10 microM) for 24h. Cell proliferation and growth was investigated by dual differential staining, apoptosis was analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and implantation and post-implantation development of embryos were measured by in vitro development analysis and in vivo embryo transfer, respectively. We found that blastocysts treated with 5 or 10 microM puerarin showed significant increases in apoptosis and significant decreases in total cell number. Interestingly, there was no significant difference of implantation success rate between puerarin-pretreated blastocysts and controls, but in vitro treatment with 5 or 10 microM puerarin was associated with increased resorption of post-implantation embryos and decreased fetal weight. Our results collectively indicate that in vitro exposure to puerarin induced apoptosis and after transfer to host mice retards early post-implantation development. The extent to which puerarin may have teratogenic potential in early human development is not yet known.
Insights
Puerarin exposure increased apoptosis in mouse blastocysts. While implantation rates were unaffected, post-implantation development was hindered, suggesting potential risks for early embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Puerarin is an isoflavone with potential biological activities.
- Understanding its effects on early embryonic development is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytotoxic effects of puerarin on mouse blastocysts.
- To assess puerarin's impact on in vitro and in vivo embryonic development and implantation.
Main Methods:
- Mouse blastocysts were exposed to varying concentrations of puerarin (2.5, 5, 10 microM).
- Apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL assay; cell proliferation was evaluated by differential staining.
- In vitro development and in vivo embryo transfer were used to measure implantation and post-implantation outcomes.
Main Results:
- Puerarin (5 and 10 microM) significantly increased blastocyst apoptosis and decreased cell number.
- No significant difference in implantation success rate was observed.
- Post-implantation, increased embryo resorption and reduced fetal weight were noted with puerarin treatment.
Conclusions:
- In vitro puerarin exposure induces apoptosis in blastocysts.
- Puerarin exposure retards early post-implantation development in vivo.
- Further research is needed to determine puerarin's teratogenic potential in human development.
