YY Ye, CY Yeung, J Karlberg, et al

This study investigated the growth-promoting effects of an oral solution of Chinese herbs on the intra-uterine growth rate of fetal Sprague-Dawley rats in mothers exposed to cigarette smoke from the 8th to the 21st day after mating. The mean fetal size (weight and length) in the herb-treated group was significantly larger than that of the sham (water)-treated group. On average, the body weight, body length, tail length, total length (body length + tail length) of the fetuses and the placental weight were reduced to 83.0%, 92.1%, 90.5%, 91.7% and 85.0% of the controls, respectively, by maternal smoking. In the herb-treated group, the values were 93.1%, 96.0%, 96.1%, 95.9% and 95.0% of the controls, respectively. The abnormal percentage against the standard reference interval was significantly reduced in the herb-treated group. No significant differences were found between the two groups for pregnant weight gain or net gain (weight gain minus weight of fetus + placenta). These results suggested the herbs might have multiple actions. They may supply a variety of substances needed for growth and improve the supply line to the fetus. This herbal mixture could be an effective way to counter intra-uterine growth retardation.