Evaluation of antidotal potentials of hydroethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis on teratogenicity of Cavia porcellus induced by exposure to lead acetate

Lead acetate is a compound that is teratogenic and could cause hazards in pregnant humans and economic loses in livestock. This study aims to evaluate the protective and curative effects of hydroethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis (HESP) on embryo-toxicity in guinea pig exposed to lead acetate. Eighteen females, aged 4 months old and weighing 350±5.3 g were divided into 8 groups of 10 guinea pigs each. The negative control (group 1) received by gavage distilled water and positive control (group 2) was exposed to lead acetate at a dose of 12 mg/kg.bw alone. While Groups 3, 4 and 5 co-exposed for a period of 90 days to 12 mg/kg bw of lead acetate and 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg.bw of hydroethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis respectively. The animals of groups 6, 7 and 8 were also exposed for the first 30 days to lead acetate, then 50, 100 and 200 mg /kg.bw of HESP from the 31st to the 90th day. At the end of the trial, female animals were sacrificed for determine the teratogenicity. Lead acetate caused a significant decrease of placental and fetal weight, number of implantation sites and gravid uterine weights. In the other hand, it increased the incidence of fetal anomalies when compared to the negative control. HESP significantly reduced (p< 0.05) the lead acetate-induced abnormities by increasing fetal number, weight, viability and reduced skeletal anomalies. Treatment of female guinea pigs with hydroethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis whether for protective or curative at dose of 100 mg/kg.bw, attenuated lead induced reproductive disrupted, fetal malformation and fetal mortality. The Hydroethanolic extract of Spirulina platensis due to some phytochemical principles rich in antioxidant properties, could possibly mitigate the adverse effects of lead acetate.