Effects of Fig Leaves ( Ficus carica ) infusion on neonatal depression in rats

摘要

Preliminary unpublished observations have shown that ingestion of fig leaves ( Ficus carica ) by pregnant women to improve labor, is associated with varying degrees of depression in neonatal infants. We used pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats drinking an infusion of the plant leaves, to investigate its effects and its probable association with neonatal depression. The control group (N = 10), ingested water, the experimental group (N = 10) ingested from the 15th day of gestation and for 72 hours, 70 ml / day of the infusion of 27 g of fig leaves in 800 ml water. We analyzed the effects at the end of gestation and newborn pups were classified according to a table designed to that effect. Results: In the control group, 105 pups born, 16% were depressed, and 83% were not depressed, the experimental group had 99 pups, 31% depressed, 68% were not depressed. These results are statistically significant, and show an effect of the infusion on neonatal depression and survival of the pups.