EVALUATION OF TERATOGENIC POTENTIALS OF DICLOFENAC IN PREGNANT FEMALE RATS

El-Sayed, M.G.A.1; El-Komy, A.A.A.1 and Dalia, D.I.A. Ebied2

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors are one of the most often ingested drugs during pregnancy. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the teratogenic potentials of diclofenac potassium in Wister albino rats. Fifty pregnant rats were divided into five groups; group (1) behaved as control received normal saline. Group (2) and group (3) administered 6.75 and 13.50 mg/kg b.wt. of diclofenac potassium orally once daily from 1st to 4th day of pregnancy respectively while group (4) and group (5) administered 6.75 and 13.50 mg/kg b.wt. of diclofenac potassium orally once daily from 6th to 15th day of pregnancy respectively. The study revealed no death or abortions in dams. Treated groups showed significant decrease in litter size, weight, length and retarded growth in fetuses. Fetal resorption significantly increased in all treated groups. The incidences of skeletal and visceral abnormalities were increased in treated groups.

Key words

Diclofenac, pregnancy, visceral and skeletal abnormalities.