Prenatal Herb Exposure https://greenmedinfo.com/taxonomy/term/45975/all en Herbal product use during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and more specifically, use of flax, chamomile, peppermint, or green tea alone or in combination with other HPs did not significantly increase the risk of LBW. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/herbal-product-use-during-last-2-trimesters-pregnancy-and-more-specifically-us PMID:  Altern Ther Health Med. 2012 Mar-Apr;18(2):36-43. PMID: 22516883 Abstract Title:  Exposure to specific herbal products during pregnancy and the risk of low birth weight. Abstract:  CONTEXT: Despite the fact that herbal products (HP) are used frequently during gestation worldwide, studies indicate that they may not be free of danger for fetuses. Evidence about the safety of HP use during pregnancy and their impact on pregnancy outcomes is currently lacking.OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association between HP use during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy (≥15 weeks of gestation [WG]) and more specifically, between use of chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), flax (Linum usitatissimum), peppermint (M. balsamea), or green tea (Camellia sinensis) (alone or in combination with other HPs) and the risk of low birth weight (LBW).DESIGN: We evaluated data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry, which was created by the linkage of 3 administrative databases in Quebec, and a self-administered questionnaire mailed to subjects. Participants 8505 women were randomly selected from the registry. Overall, 38.5% of women (n = 3273) returned their questionnaires, and 3183 were included in the study (8 were excluded because of missing values on birth weight or giving birth to twins or triplets). Outcome measures We performed a case-control analysis. Cases were defined as women who delivered a newborn https://greenmedinfo.com/article/herbal-product-use-during-last-2-trimesters-pregnancy-and-more-specifically-us#comments Chamomile Flaxseed Green Tea Peppermint Prenatal Herb Exposure Herb Safety Human Study Sun, 27 Jan 2013 11:30:32 +0000 greenmedinfo 89927 at https://greenmedinfo.com Resveratrol prevents embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with diabetic embryopathy and improves glucose and lipid profile of diabetic dam. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/resveratrol-prevents-embryonic-oxidative-stress-and-apoptosis-associated-diabe PMID:  Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011 Jan 20. Epub 2011 Jan 20. PMID: 21254394 Abstract Title:  Resveratrol prevents embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with diabetic embryopathy and improves glucose and lipid profile of diabetic dam. Abstract:  Scope: Diabetic embryopathy, a consequence of diabetic pregnancy, is associated with increase in embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis, which lead to severe embryonic damage at early stage of organogenesis. Methods and results: This study investigated if resveratrol, found in red grapes and blue-berries, may prevent diabetes-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos and have beneficial effects in diabetic dams. A rodent model of diabetic embryopathy was used. Diabetes was associated with lowered reduced glutathione levels (26.98%), increased total thiol (100.47%) and lipid peroxidation (124.73%) in embryos, and increased blood sugar (384.03%), cholesterol (98.39%) and triglyceride (1025.35%) in diabetic dams. Increased apoptosis (272.20%) was also observed in the embryos of diabetic dams. Administration of resveratrol (100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) during pregnancy prevented both oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos. Resveratrol reduced embryonic maldevelopment by improving embryo weight (41.23%), crown rump length (16.50%) and somite number (11.22%). It further improved the glucose (33.32%) and lipid (cholesterol 41.74%, triglyceride 60.64%) profile of the diabetic dams, which also represents the protective role of resveratrol in diabetes. Conclusion: Resveratrol was found to prevent embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis. It also improved glucose and lipid profile of diabetic dams, indicating the beneficial effects in diabetic pregnancy. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/resveratrol-prevents-embryonic-oxidative-stress-and-apoptosis-associated-diabe#comments Gestational Diabetes Prenatal Herb Exposure Prenatal Nutrition Resveratrol Genoprotective Animal Study Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:27:09 +0000 greenmedinfo 62380 at https://greenmedinfo.com Safety Study: Curcumin may not be safe during pregnancy. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/safety-study-curcumin-may-not-be-safe-during-pregnancy PMID:  Int J Mol Sci. 2010;11(8):2839-55. Epub 2010 Aug 2. PMID: 21152277 Abstract Title:  Hazardous Effects of Curcumin on Mouse Embryonic Development through a Mitochondria-Dependent Apoptotic Signaling Pathway. Abstract:  In this study, we examined the cytotoxic effects of curcumin, the yellow pigment of Curcuma longa, on the blastocyst stage of mouse embryos, subsequent embryonic attachment, and outgrowth in vitro and in vivo implantation by embryo transfer. Mouse blastocysts were incubated in medium with or without curcumin (6, 12 or 24μM) for 24 h. Cell proliferation and growth were investigated using dual differential staining, apoptosis was analyzed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and implantation and post-implantation development of embryos were measured by in vitro development analysis and in vivo embryo transfer, respectively. Blastocysts treated with 24 μM curcumin displayed significantly increased apoptosis and decreased total cell number. Interestingly, we observed no marked differences in the implantation success rates between curcumin-pretreated and control blastocysts during in vitro embryonic development through implantation with a fibronectin-coated culture dish. However, in vitro treatment with 24 μM curcumin was associated with decreased implantation rate and increased resorption of postimplantation embryos in mouse uterus, as well as decreased fetal weight in the embryo transfer assay. Our results collectively indicate that in vitro exposure to curcumin triggers apoptosis and retards early postimplantation development after transfer to host mice. In addition, curcumin induces apoptotic injury effects on mouse blastocysts through ROS generation, and further promotes mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling processes to impair sequent embryonic development. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/safety-study-curcumin-may-not-be-safe-during-pregnancy#comments Curcumin Prenatal Herb Exposure Animal Study Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:22:17 +0000 greenmedinfo 60960 at https://greenmedinfo.com Safety Study: Echinacea appears to be safe during pregnancy and lactation. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/safety-study-echinacea-appears-be-safe-during-pregnancy-and-lactation PMID:  Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2006;13(3):e262-7. Epub 2006 Nov 3. PMID: 17085774 Abstract Title:  Safety and efficacy of echinacea (Echinacea angustafolia, e. purpurea and e. pallida) during pregnancy and lactation. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: There is a lack of basic knowledge on the part of both clinicians and patients as to the indications for use and safety of herbal medicines used in pregnancy and lactation. This is one article in a series that systematically reviews the evidence for commonly used herbs during pregnancy and lactation.OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the literature for evidence on the use, safety, and pharmacology of echinacea focusing on issues pertaining to pregnancy and lactation.METHODS: We searched 7 electronic databases and compiled data according to the grade of evidence found.RESULTS: There is good scientific evidence from a prospective cohort study that oral consumption of echinacea during the first trimester does not increase the risk for major malformations. Low-level evidence based on expert opinion shows that oral consumption of echinacea in recommended doses is safe for use during pregnancy and lactation.CONCLUSIONS: Echinacea is non-teratogenic when used during pregnancy. Caution with using Echinacea during lactation until further high quality human studies can determine its safety. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/safety-study-echinacea-appears-be-safe-during-pregnancy-and-lactation#comments Echinacea Postnatal Care: Breastfeeding Prenatal Herb Exposure Meta Analysis Pregnancy and Herbs Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:05:30 +0000 greenmedinfo 59768 at https://greenmedinfo.com Safety Study: Gestational exposure to echinacea is not associated with malformations. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/safety-study-gestational-exposure-echinacea-not-associated-malformations PMID:  Arch Intern Med. 2000 Nov 13;160(20):3141-3. PMID: 11074744 Abstract Title:  Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea: a prospective controlled study. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: Echinacea products are among the most popular phytomedicines on the North American market. Since at least half of all pregnancies are unplanned, many women inadvertently use echinacea in their first trimester. Presently, there is a paucity of information regarding the gestational safety of this herb. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of echinacea in pregnancy when used for upper respiratory tract ailments.PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of women who were prospectively followed up after contacting the Motherisk Program regarding the gestational use of echinacea. This cohort was disease-matched to women exposed to nonteratogenic agents by maternal age, alcohol, and cigarette use. Rates of major and minor malformations between the groups were compared.RESULTS: A total of 206 women were enrolled in the study group after using echinacea products during pregnancy; 112 women used the herb in the first trimester. There were a total of 195 live births, including 3 sets of twins, 13 spontaneous abortions, and 1 therapeutic abortion. Six major malformations were reported, including 1 chromosomal abnormality, and 4 of these malformations occurred with echinacea exposure in the first trimester. In the control group, there were 206 women with 198 live births, 7 spontaneous abortions, and 1 therapeutic abortion. Seven major malformations were reported. There were no statistical differences between the study and control groups for any of the end points analyzed.CONCLUSIONS: This first prospective study suggests that gestational use of echinacea during organogenesis is not associated with an increased risk for major malformations. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/safety-study-gestational-exposure-echinacea-not-associated-malformations#comments Echinacea Prenatal Herb Exposure Human Study Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:16:31 +0000 greenmedinfo 59790 at https://greenmedinfo.com Safety: resveratrol has a positive effect on early embryonic development of porcine embryos. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/safety-resveratrol-has-positive-effect-early-embryonic-development-porcine-emb PMID:  J Reprod Dev. 2010 Jun;56(3):330-5. Epub 2010 Feb 18. PMID: 20168050 Abstract Title:  Effect of resveratrol on the development of porcine embryos produced in vitro. Abstract:  The effects of resveratrol (a phytoalexin with a wide variety of pharmacological activities) on pig embryos produced by parthenogenesis and/or in vitro fertilization have been investigated. First, parthenogenetic embryos were generated and cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with various amounts of resveratrol (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 25 microM final concentrations). In the presence of 0.5 microM resveratrol a significantly higher percentage of parthenogenetic embryos reached the blastocyst stage by day 7 compared to non-treated control (43.5+/-6.3% vs. 33.0+/-5.4%; P https://greenmedinfo.com/article/safety-resveratrol-has-positive-effect-early-embryonic-development-porcine-emb#comments Prenatal Herb Exposure Prenatal Nutrition Resveratrol Stilbenes Apoptotic Bcl-2 protein down-regulation Enzyme Inhibitors Animal Study Thu, 19 May 2011 19:02:54 +0000 greenmedinfo 64049 at https://greenmedinfo.com