Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of various bioactive compounds
Apart from genetic factors, maternal influences or environmental factors also affect fetal growth. Hormones, chemicals, natural products and toxins are potential embryotoxins or teratogens to induce abnormal fetal growth. With the successful development of various ex vivo and in utero techniques, the embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of various compounds and natural products isolated from medicinal materials are being examined.
Hormone-like growth factors and peptides such as insulin-like growth factors, transforming growth factors, pineal hormones, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides have been implicated as mediators of many key developmental events in addition to their functions in adult life.
Some natural products isolated from Chinese medicinal materials have also been shown to have profound influences on embryonic development. We have been using the whole embryo culture, immunohistochemical labelling and exo utero manipulation technique to investigate the mechanisms of actions of these factors, hormones and natural products.