Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM:To study the teratogenic toxicities of carthamus in SD rats during the period of organ formation． MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty_two pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into four groups with about 20 rats in each, three carthamus dosage groups (7.5,15.0,30.0 mg/kg),and one negative control group. carthamus or normal saline was given via vena caudalis injection for 10 days during the period of organ formation (the 6th to 15th day of gestation). The rats were sacrificed to examine the fetuses on the 20th day. RESULTS: Carthamus didn't produce significant difference on living fetuses ratio, absorbed fetuses ratio, dead fetus ratio, body length, tail length and weight of fetuses .There were statistical differences on average weight of placenta ,number of caudal vertebra and distant digital bone between treated groups and the negative control group. It didn' t induce any teratogenic effect on the appearance, bones and bowels of the fetuses when used under 30.0 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Carthamus had no maternal toxicity, teratogenic toxicity, embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity when used under 30.0 mg/kg.

Key words: carthamus, maternal toxicity, teratogenesis, embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity