Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: The teratgenic and toxic effects of chlorella vulgaris tablets were evaluated in SD rats for health food safety concerns. METHODS: Pregnant rats were randomly assigned to chlorella vulgaris tablet groups (1 875,3 750,7 500 mg/kg),positive control group (300 mg/kg aspirin) and negative control group. Rats were treated on the 7^th to the 16^th day during the gestation period and were killed on the 20^th day. Indicators for teratogenicity were examined:weight of uterus with embryo,fetal weight and body length,proportion of male and female fetuses,number of implantation,live fetuses,dead fetuses and reabsorbed fetuses,the morphology of fetuses,and abnormalities in the fetal skeletons and internal organs. RESULTS: Aspirin dose of 300 mg/kg produced maternal toxicity,embryonic toxicity and substantial teratogenic effects. The groups treated with doses of 1 875,3 750 and 7 500 mg/kg of the tablets did not produce maternal toxicity,embryonic toxicity nor teratogenicity. None of the observed effects was significantly different from the negative control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chlorella vulgaris tablet did not cause maternal toxicity,embryonic toxicity,or teratogenicity in pregnant rats.

Key words: chlorella vulgaris tablet, embryo toxicity, teratogenicity, malformation