Background and purpose: Cyclophosphamide (CP) as a teratogen can lead to congenital abnormalities in animals and humans. Many reports have shown the influence of antioxidant drugs in reducing the adverse effects of CP. Galbanum has antioxidant effects and Mesna (Sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate) is used for decreasing the side effects of CP, especially hemorrhagic cystitis.  This study aimed at investigating the effects of galbanum and mesna on cyclophosphamide-induced teratogenicity in rat fetuses.

Materials and methods: This study was performed in 33 pregnant rats that were divided into five groups. A control group received normal saline and test groups received CP (15 mg/kg), CP plus mesna (100 mg/kg), CP plus galbanum (200 mg/kg) and CP plus mesna (100 mg/kg) plus galbanum (200 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on the 13th day of gestation, respectively. Fetuses were extracted on 20th day of gestation. Then, the weight and length of fetuses were measured and staining was done using Alizarin red - Alcian blue method. The teratogenic effects were investigated by stereomicroscope.

Results: The results showed that the incidence of cleft palate, exencephaly, micromelia, and omphalocele were 37.50%, 62.50%, 16.62%, and 9.37% in fetuses that received only CP which decreased to 28.57%, 28.57%, 3.57%, and 7.14% in the group that had received CP plus mesna (75 mg/kg) and to 18.51%, 14.81%, 3.7%, and 0% in the group which received CP plus galbanum (200 mg/kg), respectively. In treatment group that received CP plus mesna and galbanum the incidence of aforementioned abnormalities decreased to 18.64%, 11.86%, 3.38%, and 0%, respectively.

Conclusion: In this study galbanum significantly decreased teratogenicity induced by CP.