Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity

Labisia pumila var. alata (LPA) or Kacip Fatimah has been listed by the government of Malaysia as one of the priority species for a multi-disciplinary scientific investigation towards the development of scientific, evidence-based herbal medicine. The present work described in this book is part of the preclinical assessment of LPA to evaluate its safety profile using animal model. The potential immediate and latent effects of aqueous extract of LPA on reproductive system and development of progenies were thoroughly evaluated in female Sprague Dawley rats. Toxicological assessment with wide range of observations and parameters were performed at various stages of reproductive period including pregnancy and non-pregnancy states of rats.The collection of data compiled in this book is meant to provide some basis for the development of the safety profile of LPA and thereby help to alleviate concerns over its possible toxicity.