Uruj Zehra, Mohammad Tahir, Khalid P Lone.
Ginkgo biloba induced malformations in mice.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;20(2):117-21.

Objective: To determine the gross structural malformations to the mice fetuses of the mothers given Ginkgo biloba during pregnancy. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: The Experimental Research Laboratory, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from May 2006 to December 2006. Methodology: The teratogenic effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (78 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day) dissolved in water were studied on the gross features of mice fetuses. Three groups (A, B and C) of 6 females each were mated with 2 males in two cages with 3:1 ratio of females to males. The first two groups (A and B) served as experimental and the third (C) was used as a control. Pregnancy was confirmed by a vaginal plug and gravid female mice (6) were separated from the males. Group A was treated with human therapeutic dose (78 ppm) while group B was given a high dose (100 ppm). Group C was given water only. Both experimental groups were given the drug orally throughout the gestational period. Result were compared using ANOVA with significance at p < 0.05. Results: Forty-nine fetuses from B and C groups and 50 fetuses from A group were recovered. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in weight and crown-rump length of fetuses in group B as compared to those from group A and C. Further, fetuses from groups A and C did not show any gross abnormalities, whereas those from group B exhibited a high frequency of malformations including round shaped eye and orbits, syndactyly, malformed pinnae, nostrils, lips and jaws. Conclusion: The results obtained substantiate the early finding that Ginkgo biloba can be teratogenic when given to pregnant mothers.

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