Effects of Salacia chinensis extract on reproductive outcome in rats

Salacia chinensis is a traditional South and Southeast Asian herb medicine and has been reported to have an antidiabetic function via α-glucosidases inhibitory activity. In this study, the effects of S. chinensis extract (SCE) on reproductive functions of F0 males and females and the effects on survival and growth of F1 offspring were examined using Sprague–Dawley rats. SCE was administered at dose levels of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/day orally to groups consisting of 25 males and 25 females. Males were dosed once a day in the morning from 8 weeks before mating, throughout the mating period and until the day before necropsy and females were dosed once a day in the morning for 2 weeks before mating and through the mating, gestation and lactation periods (until day 20 of lactation). In all SCE treatment groups, no toxic signs were noted on reproductive outcome such as estrous cycle of F0 females or any parameters for reproductive function or survival, growth, sensory reflex or function development of F1 pups. Therefore, we concluded that SCE has no effects on the reproductive outcome even at a remarkably high dosage level, 2000 mg/kg/day, in Sprague–Dawley rats.