| Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f. is a medicinal plant which possesses anti-fertility activity in males and has been used in China for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, chronic nephritis and other pulmonary diseases for years. The effect of Tripterygium wilfordii extract on in vitro development in day 9 and day 10 mouse embryos was examined. The embryotoxicity of T. wilfordii extract was obvious on day 9 and day 10 embryos at doses of 50 and 100 g/ml, respectively. The embryonic abnormalities produced included abnormal branchial apparatus, open cranial neural tube and absence of forelimb bud in day 9 embryos. In day 10 embryos, the abnormality appeared first in the branchial apparatus. At higher doses, additional |
