Evaluation of the Effects of Dorema ammoniacum on the Fetus Using a Chick Embryo Model: An Experimental Study

Consumption of Dorema ammoniacum (D. ammoniacum) as herb can have different side effects. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the D. ammoniacum hydroalcoholic extract on the weight, growth, and external and internal tissues of embryo using a chick embryo model during 2019.

In the present experimental study, 21 embryonated eggs were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (7 per group). On the fourth day of incubation, 0.5 ml of phosphate buffer saline or D.ammoniacum hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg egg-weight were inoculated into the eggs of the control and experiment groups, respectively. Embryos were allowed to develop until day 18, and then were examined for macroscopic lesions under a loupe microscope. After preparing histopathologic slides, microscopic lesions of embryos were also examined. SPSS was used running one-way analysis of variance with Turkey›s post hock test to determine significant differences of quantitative variables between groups.

In the group of D. ammoniacum hydroalcoholic extract at dose of 100 mg/kg compared to the control,body length (6.67±41.21 vs. 4.88±86.24) and embryo weight (0.22±0.34 vs. 0.23±0.59) showed a significant decrease (p=0.048 and p<0.0001, respectively). Most pathological effects were observed in the lung, liver,and kidney of the group receiving the extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg.

Considering the consumption of D. ammoniacum in different regions of Iran and the side effects of its hydroalcoholic extract on external and internal organs of the chick embryo, it is suggested that this herb be used with caution, especially during pregnancy.