Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
06:31
In Vitro Culture of Epicardial Cells From Mouse Embryonic Heart
Published on: April 27, 2016
7.8K
The Effect of Some Complementary Medicine Active Components on Rat Embryonic Heart Rate In Vitro.
Helen E Ritchie1, Andrea Xia1, Jaimie W Polson1
1School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Birth Defects Research
|February 4, 2026
Summary
Most herbal medicines lack safety data for pregnancy. In vitro testing showed garlic, green tea, ginseng, and goldenseal active ingredients caused embryonic bradycardia, impacting fetal development risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) lack pregnancy safety data, unlike conventional drugs.
- CAMs are readily available without prescriptions, posing potential risks during pregnancy.
- In vitro embryo culture offers a rapid screening method for assessing chemical safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the in vitro effects of four common CAMs on embryonic heart rate.
- To generate a risk assessment for these CAMs based on embryonic heart rate changes.
Main Methods:
- Whole rat embryo culture was used to test active ingredients from garlic, green tea, ginseng, and goldenseal.
- Gestation day 13 embryos were exposed to allicin, epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), ginsenoside Rg3, and berberine.
- Embryonic heart rate was monitored to detect bradycardia.
Main Results:
- All tested CAM ingredients induced embryonic bradycardia in vitro.
- Epigallocatechin-gallate (green tea) and ginsenoside Rg3 (ginseng) showed an acceptable margin of safety.
- Allicin (garlic) safety margin could not be determined due to missing pharmacokinetic data.
Conclusions:
- Allicin and berberine require further investigation for safe use during pregnancy.
- EGCG and ginsenoside Rg3 appear to have a favorable safety profile in this in vitro model.
- In vitro embryo culture is a valuable tool for preliminary CAM safety assessment in pregnancy.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Regulation of Heart Rates
3.9K
The regulation of heart rate is a complex process controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), hormonal influences, and intrinsic cardiac mechanisms. The ANS has two main components: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
The SNS increases heart rate through the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which act on beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. This action increases the rate of depolarization in the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's...
The SNS increases heart rate through the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which act on beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. This action increases the rate of depolarization in the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's...
3.9K
01:44Complementary DNA
31.7K
Overview
31.7K
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
6.6K
The heart rate, or pulse rate, is a vital indicator of cardiovascular health. It reflects the number of times the heart beats per minute. Various physiological and environmental factors influence heart rate, increasing or decreasing cardiac output. Understanding these factors is crucial for assessing heart function and identifying potential health issues.
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
6.6K
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
2.7K
Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...
2.7K
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
32.5K
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
32.5K
02:55Temperature Dependence on Reaction Rate
89.1K
The Collision Theory
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
89.1K