Embryotoxicity of Yangambin Isolated from Ocotea duckei Vattimo-Gil in Gallus gallus domesticus Embryos

Introduction: Yangambin, a lignan predominant in the leaves of Ocotea duckei Vattimo-Gil, has several biological activities, such as anti-convulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and leishmanicidal. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the embryotoxicity of yangambin on the neurodevelopment of Gallus gallus domesticus embryos. Materials and Methods: 120 fertilized eggs were divided in three groups: G1 (PBS with 0.1 % Tween 80), G2 (50 μg/ml yangambin) and G3 (65 μg/ml yangambin) and each egg was inoculated with 100 μL of the respective solutions. The fertilized eggs were incubated at a temperature of 37.5°C, with a relative humidity of 65% to 75%, for 48 hr and then their embryos were histologically processed. Results: In staging, carried out according to Hamburger and Hamilton (1951), variations of stages were identified. In all groups, the morphological analysis revealed the closure of the anterior neuropore and absence of malformations in the optic vesicles and in the secondary encephalic vesicles. In the caudal region, a standard development of the neural tube was observed, with well-segmented somites and regression of the primitive line. The cross sections showed that the internal structure of the somite’s, composed of dermatome, myotome and sclerotome, was preserved. The statistical analysis did not show significant differences between the groups regarding the morphometry of the cephalic and caudal regions of the neural tube. Conclusion: Yangambin did not show embryotoxic effects on the neurodevelopment of Gallus gallus domesticus embryos, under the tested conditions.