Developmental Impact of Eugenol on Xenopus laevis Embryos: A FETAX Study
Date
2-18-2025
Faculty Mentor
James Rayburn, Biology
Files
Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
4:15-4:25 pm | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor
Description
Please note: no video is available for this presentation.
Eugenol, a bioactive compound found in clove oil, is commonly utilized in pharmaceuticals (e.g., for alleviating toothaches) and cosmetics (e.g., as a fragrance). Despite its widespread use, data on its developmental toxicity is somewhat limited. This study investigates the impact of Eugenol on Xenopus laevis embryos through the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay (Xenopus, FETAX), examining mortality, growth, and malformations. Adult frogs were given human chorionic gonadotropin via dorsal lymph sac injection and placed in breeding chambers. Fertilized embryos were collected the next morning, dejellied with 2% cysteine, and sorted at the small-cell blastula stage to commence testing. Twenty embryos were placed in 8 mL of FETAX solution within 20 × 15 mm plastic Petri dishes, with four control dishes and two replicates for each test concentration. Embryos were incubated at 24°C for four days, with daily removal of deceased embryos and renewal of solutions. At the experiment's end, measurements of mortality, malformations, and embryo length were recorded. Means, standard errors, ANOVA, Bonferroni tests, and Probit analysis were determine using Systat to determine the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC), no observed effect concentration (NOEC), 96-hour LC50, and EC50 (malformation). Preliminary results indicated no significant changes in embryo length at tested concentrations. The LC50 was calculated as 6.4 mg/L (95% fiducial limits: 5.7–7.3 mg/L), while the EC50 for malformations was 2.9 mg/L (95% fiducial limits: 2.6–3.3 mg/L), resulting in a Teratogenic Index of 2.2. Teratogenic indices above 1.5 indicate heightened teratogenic potential. Observed malformations included facial abnormalities, edema, gut deformities, and stunted growth in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings suggest that Eugenol may have teratogenic effects, warranting further investigation to confirm these results
Keywords
student research, biology
Rights
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Disciplines
Biology
Recommended Citation
Brazier, Ashley, "Developmental Impact of Eugenol on Xenopus laevis Embryos: A FETAX Study" (2025). JSU Student Symposium 2025. 74.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/74
