Abstract Background Pterocarpus santalinoides is an edible medicinal plant traditionally used by midwives in southeastern Nigeria for fertility management; however, its safety profile during pregnancy remains unclear. Objective This study investigated the effects of the ethanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides (ELEPS) on early pregnancy outcomes in Wistar rats. Methods Thirty pregnant Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6): control (distilled water 10 ml/kg), positive control (misoprostol 50 μg/kg), and three ELEPS treatment groups (400, 600, and 800 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally via gavage for seven consecutive days from gestational day 1. Primary outcomes included pregnancy status assessment, hormonal profiles (estradiol, progesterone, and prostaglandin F2α), connexin 43 expression, and uterine histomorphological changes. Results ELEPS demonstrated significant dose-dependent embryotoxic effects with resorption rates of 66.67%, 83.33%, and 100% at 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg doses, respectively, compared to 0% in controls. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed significant alterations in estradiol levels (F = 2.899, p = 0.042) and progesterone concentrations (F = 4.144, p = 0.010) across the treatment groups. The highest ELEPS dose (800 mg/kg) induced complete embryonic resorption, elevated connexin 43 expression, and pathological uterine changes, including increased leukocytic infiltration and abnormal decidual morphology. Conclusion These findings provide scientific evidence for the embryolethal properties of P. santalinoides , supporting its traditional use as an abortifacient, while raising significant safety concerns for pregnant women consuming this plant.
Ani et al. (Fri,) studied this question.