Developmental toxicity of D-002 (a mixture of aliphatic primary alcohols) in rats and rabbits

D-002 is a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols, primarily isolated and purified from beeswax, that has moderate anti-inflammatory and effective anti-ulcer activity. In the present study the developmental toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats and New Zealand White rabbits was evaluated. Doses of 100, 320 and 1000 mg kg(-1) were administered once daily by gavage to pregnant females on gestation days 6-15 (rats) or 6-18 (rabbits). Reproductive indices were determined and foetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal malformations. There was no indication of embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity or teratogenicity in any of the treated groups. It is concluded that D-002 is devoid of teratogenic or embryotoxic effects in these strains.