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Effect of Drakshavaleha in cyclophosphamide induced weight loss and reduction in crown-rump length in developing mice
Sunil Kumar1, Gajendra Singh, K R C Reddy
1Associate Professor Department of Sharira Rachana , National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India.
Insights
Cyclophosphamide (CP) causes growth stunting in pups. Supplementing pregnant mice with Drakshavaleha significantly minimized this weight loss and improved pup size, indicating a protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive toxicology
- Developmental biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anti-mitotic and apoptosis-inducing agent.
- CP administration during gestation can lead to adverse fetal outcomes, including growth retardation.
- Herbal formulations are explored for mitigating drug-induced developmental toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of Drakshavaleha against Cyclophosphamide-induced developmental toxicity in mice.
- To evaluate the impact of Drakshavaleha on fetal growth parameters compromised by CP exposure.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant mice were administered Cyclophosphamide (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on day 11 of gestation.
- A separate group received Drakshavaleha (16 g/kg) orally from day 0 to day 18 of gestation.
- Fetal parameters including body weight and crown-rump length were assessed and compared to control groups.
Main Results:
- Cyclophosphamide administration resulted in significant stunting of pup size and reduced body weight.
- Oral administration of Drakshavaleha significantly minimized the body weight loss induced by CP (P < 0.001).
- Drakshavaleha treatment also led to the recovery of crown-rump length in pups exposed to CP.
Conclusions:
- Drakshavaleha exhibits a protective effect against Cyclophosphamide-induced fetal growth retardation.
- This herbal supplement can mitigate adverse developmental outcomes associated with CP exposure during pregnancy.
- Drakshavaleha shows potential as an adjunct therapy to reduce CP-related teratogenicity.
Abstract:
Being an anti-mitotic and apoptosis inducing agent, Cyclophosphamide (CP) causes stunting in size and loss of body weight of the pups on intra-peritoneal injection (10 mg/kg) to pregnant mice on day 11 of gestation. Loss of body weight due to CP administration could be minimized by feeding Drakshavaleha (16 g/kg) orally to pregnant mice from day "0" to day "18" of their gestation. Recovery observed in terms of body weight of the pups was statistically significant (P < 0.001) in Drakshavaleha treated pups. Drakshavaleha also recovered the crown-rump length of the pups occurred due to CP administration. Growth retardation with decreased fetal weight was observed in all CP treated pups when compared with the controls.
