Safety Profile of Carthamus Tinctorius L. in Lactation: Brain, Renal and Hepatotoxicity

Background and objective: safflower (carthamus tinctorius l.) is used as dye and flavor in food industry. however, its effects on the infant during lactation has not been yet determined. the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the possible effects of taking this herb during lactation on brain, liver, kidney and hematologic parameters of newborn mice. methodology: in this experimental study, 32 pregnant balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups of 8. following the delivery, group 1 (control group) received normal saline injection, and group 2 to 4 received daily intraperitoneal injection of 10, 20 and 40mg/kg methanolic safflower extract for 25 days (until the end of lactation period), respectively. the newborns’ hematological parameters were assessed at the end of the study period. liver, kidney and brain tissue samples of male newborns were histopathologically studied after staining with hematoxylin & eosin. data were analyzed using anova and scheffe’s tests. results: use of safflower did not cause any significant difference in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit in treatment group in comparison with the control group. in histopathological study, mild to severe injuries were observed in kidney, liver and brain tissues of newborn mice treated with the extract. conclusions: the results of the present study revealed that taking safflower extract during lactation period may be toxic for infants and cause some damage in the liver, kidney and brain tissue. therefore, it is better for lactating mothers to refrain from its use.