Assessment of the embryotoxicity of four Chinese herbal extracts using the embryonic stem cell test

Li,Lin‑Yan; Cao,Fen‑Fang; Su,Zhi‑Jian; Zhang,Qi‑Hao; Dai,Xiao‑Yong; Xiao,Xue; Huang,Ya‑Dong; Zheng,Qing; Xu,Hua

doi:10.3892/mmr.2015.3598

Assessment of the embryotoxicity of four Chinese herbal extracts using the embryonic stem cell test

Authors:
- Lin‑Yan Li
- Fen‑Fang Cao
- Zhi‑Jian Su
- Qi‑Hao Zhang
- Xiao‑Yong Dai
- Xue Xiao
- Ya‑Dong Huang
- Qing Zheng
- Hua Xu
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Affiliations: Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China, Department of Biopharmaceutical Research and Development Centre, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
Published online on: April 7, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2015.3598
Pages: 2348-2354

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Abstract

Rhizoma Atractylodes macrocephala, Radix Isatidis, Coptis chinensis and Flos Genkwa are common herbal remedies used by pregnant woman in China. In this study, their potential embryotoxicity was assessed using the embryonic stem cell test (EST) and a prediction model. The potential embryotoxicity of the herbs was based on three endpoints: the concentrations of the compounds that inhibited the proliferation of 50% of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) (IC50ES), the concentrations that inhibited 50% of 3T3 cells (IC503T3), and the concentrations that inhibited the differentiation of 50% of ESCs (ID50ES). The results revealed that Rhizoma Atractylodes macrocephala and Radix Isatidis are non‑embryotoxic compounds. Coptis chinensis extracts appeared to demonstrated weak embryotoxicity, and Flos Genkwa exhibited strong embryotoxicity. These results may be useful in guiding the clinical use of these herbs and in expanding the application of the EST to the field of traditional Chinese medicine.

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