[Teratogenicity of the prescription of reinforcing kidney, replenishing qi and activating blood and effect on HSP70 expression in rats].

Objective: To assess the safety of the Prescription of Reinforcing Kidney Replenishing Qi and Activating Blood (PAKRQAB) on the reproduction and development of rats.

Methods: The animals were divided into negative control, positive control and three experiment groups. PAKRQAB was administered by gavages during gestation day 6 to day 15 in doses of 60, 12 and 2.4 g/(kg.d), respectively. The body weight gain of pregnant rats, the body weight, body length and tail length of living fetuses and some other parameters of embryonic development were measured. Western Blot was used to detect the HSP70 level in liver tissue of pregnant rat and fetuses.

Results: Malformation of external and internal organ and of bone was not found in fetuses treated with PAKRQAB. But the rate of cyesis descended in the high dosage. The expression level of HSP70 in each dose group is significantly different than negative control group on pregnant rats, but fetuses this effect is not so significant.

Conclusion: PAKRQAB does not induce deformity or developmental toxicity. It's safe for pregnant rats though it may influence pregnancy rate when it is used in high dose.