Philippine Journal of Science
152 (6A): 2201-2211, December 2023
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 20 Apr 2023

Embryotoxicity Test of the Anti-anemia
Drug from Alternanthera sessilis

Airianne Denise C. Dimayacyac1,2* and Lerrie Ann D.G. Ipulan-Colet1

1Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman,
Diliman 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
2Science Education Institute, Department of Science and Technology,
Bicutan 1631 Taguig City Philippines

*Corresponding author: acdimayacyac@up.edu.ph

[Download]
Dimayacyac AD, Ipulan-Colet LA. 2023. Embryotoxicity Test of the
Anti-anemia Drug from Alternanthera sessilis. Philipp J Sci 152(6A): 2201–2211.
https://doi.org/10.56899/152.6A.14

 

ABSTRACT

Alternanthera sessilis is a plant native to wetlands that is commonly known in the Philippines as “bunga-bunga” (Tagalog). Currently, A. sessilis is available as a natural product that can combat anemia in the Philippines. Anemia, together with diabetes, is one of the complications experienced during pregnancy. This study aimed to identify the safety of A. sessilis as a supplement for pregnant mothers by testing its embryotoxic and possible teratogenic effects in pregnant mice. The experimental design consisted of supplementation of 7.3 mg/mL (low) and 73 mg/mL (high) A. sessilis to pregnant dams compared with 10,000 IU/kg of isotretinoin (positive control), soybean oil (vehicle control), and distilled water (negative control group). Reproductive parameters, histological parameters, and gene expression pattern changes were observed in the embryos of pregnant dams. Dams and embryos in the isotretinoin group had reduced reproductive performance and induced teratogenicity. Administration of a low dose (7.3 mg/ mL) of A. sessilis capsule showed no significant changes in the reproductive performance of dams and embryo development (E11.5). Although not significant, a higher dose (73 mg/mL) of A. sessilis resulted in a slight reduction in reproductive performance and embryo growth when compared with the negative control group. According to the immunohistochemistry results, the high-dose group of A. sessilis had a significant increase in the expression of BCL-2 anti-apoptotic protein in the embryonic liver (E11.5) when compared with the negative control group and the isotretinoin group. The findings in this study suggest that the use of A. sessilis as a supplement at a low dose can be beneficial during pregnancy.