Embryo-hepatotoxic Potential of Spearmint Aqueous Extracts: A Histopathological Study

Introduction: Spearmint, a member of lamiacae family, used in home remedies for the treatment of respiratory, GIT and other diseases. Aims & Objectives: To observe the effects of spearmint aqueous extract on liver histology in Swiss albino mice pups. Place and duration of study: The current experimental study was carried out in the Anatomy Department, Shaikh Zayed PGMI, Lahore over a period of 6 months. Material and Methods: Adult mice (Swiss Albino mice) were used (7 male and 21 female). Female mice were divided and labeled into control group (A) and two experimental group i.e. low dose (B) and high dose (C) after conception; all these groups had 7 mice each. Distilled water was given to group A and leaves extract of spearmint was given to group B and C in doses of 3 & 6g/kg per day, respectively. After completion of pregnancy the pups were delivered by hysterotomy out of which 28 mice pups were randomly selected and marked as control/A1, low dose/B1 and high dose/C1 groups, respectively. The liver of all pups was dissected, slides made, and hepatocytes were examined for their shape, presence or absence of necrosis and vacuolization. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0,P- value<0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Shape of hepatocytes was unchanged, but vacuoles and necrosis found in livers of freshly delivered pups with p-value <0.001whose mothers had received spearmint treatment during pregnancy. Difference among both spearmints treated groups was significant and p-value was 0.026. Conclusion: Spearmint aqueous extracts administered to female mice during pregnancy in both low and high doses carry embryo hepatotoxic potential with in utero harmful effects on  swiss albino mice pup offspring.