Aqueous extract of ephedra major used as a drug for blood pleasure, sleep disorder and lose weight. but it is effects on the body especially during pregnancy have not been reviewed. therefore in study the biological effects of aqueous extract of ephedra major on the development balb.c mouse embryos 7th to 10th days of pregnancy.
Methods
in this study 50 female balb.c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups including: control group (non- injection), sham group (injection of saline) and 4 experimental groups. lethal dose of ld50 was determined in condition of 3086 mg.kg.bw in vivo and selected dose for injection 300 mg.kg.bw. injection was done on the seventh to tenth days by enema. then the mouse were sacrificed on day 15 of pregnancy.for security of results above experiences was repeated three times. data was checked with spss21 software and duncan test
Results
After a comparative study of abnormalities, exohepatic, exancephal pustules, asymmetry of head,eye abnormalities (absence of the lens), deviation and absence of limbs, bleeding in various parts of the embryos, and deviation of the spine were observed.
Conclusion
According to this observations, it can be concluded that aqueous extract of ephedra major causes abortion and using this herb is dangerous during pregnancy and may be used as a contraceptive pill in the future.
