Cytogenetic and Developmental Effects of Antidepression Drug (Cipralex) on Female Mice and Embryos

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Cell Biology Department, National Research Center Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Escitalopram (cipralex®) a new highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, it is effective in the treatment of patients with major depression. To evaluate the cytogenetics and developmental effects of cipralex throughout major organgenesis, mice were administrated orally with a doses of 0.06, 0.12 and 0.24 mg/kg/day cipralex on gestation days 1-18 and examined on the 19th day of gestation for evidence of maternal and fetal toxicity. Cipralex at different doses tested produce significant toxic effects in reproductive parameters. Significant embryo fetotoxic effects were observed at tested dose levels as evidenced by total number of implantations, post. Implantation loss and embryo malformations. There were increases in the frequencies of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in both maternal and embryonic cells treated with cipalex, these increases were dose dependent. These results indicate that cipralex is considered to be cytogenetic and embryo toxic drug when administered during pregnancy.
 

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