Teratogenic effects of Plectranthus fruticosus essential oil in mice

The teratogenic potential of Plectranthus fruticosus essential oil was evaluated in Swiss‐OF₁ mice injected subcutaneously. They received daily 0, 15, 45 or 135 mg/kg body weight on days 6 to 15 of gestation. A slight maternal toxicity, as evidenced by reduced weight gain and some physical alterations, was observed among treated groups compared with controls. Animals were killed and subjected to uterine examination on day 17 of pregnancy. Plectranthus fruticosus essential oil induced both embryo‐ and feto‐toxicity in the three treated groups, as manifested by a statistically significant increase in the numbers of resorbed and malformed fetuses. The observed malformations were predominantly related to the eyes (anophthalmia).