Histo-biochemical evaluation of spearmint dried leaves extract on selected organs of pregnant albino rats and their neonates: A long-term study.

The primary focus of this study is to elucidate the adverse effect of dried leaf extract of spearmint (SE) on histomorphometry of ovaries and uterus of pregnant albino rats along with weight and crown-rump length (CRL) of their fetuses. Albino rats (n=30) were split into three groups, viz; Group A (Placebo), Group B (0.3g/kg SE) and Group C (0.6g/kg SE). The SE was administered for 30 days through gastric intubation. On 31st day of experiment, a male was introduced for 5-days in each group to make the female rats pregnant. SE was administered till the parturition of the neonates. At parturition, the maternal uteri and ovaries and neonates' renal and hepatic tissues were histological analyzed along with the blood for progesterone level. Results means were compared by Mann-Whitney test. The body-weights of experimental groups decreased significantly while counter-part of ovaries followed reverse trend. The ovaries showed atrophied antral, graafian-follicle and corpora lutea. The layer thickness of uteri was also decreased. The degenerative changes in the renal and hepatic tissues were observed with decreased weight and crown-rump-length of neonates. In the light of these results, further research work should be carried out to evaluate its other toxic effects on different organs of the body.