[Teratogenicity study of stevioside in rats].

Abstract

Teratogenicity of stevioside was examined in rats. Stevioside dissolved in distilled water was given to pregnant Wistar rats by gavage once a day from day 6 through 15 of pregnancy at doses of 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day. The pregnant rats were sacrificed on day 20 of pregnancy and their fetuses were examined for malformation. Stevioside caused no increased incidences of fetal malformation, and no toxic signs in the pregnant rats and the fetuses. It was concluded that stevioside has no teratogenicity in rats when given by gavage. The no observable adverse effect level was estimated to be over 1000 mg/kg/day for both pregnant rats and rat fetuses.