Stevia rebaudiana Bertani does not Produce Female Reproductive Toxic Effect: Study in Swiss Albino Mouse

Abstract

Sugars used for sweetening do contribute calories, which can lead to obesity, a risk factor for some chronic diseases. Hence, the craving for sweetness led to discover several forms of alternative sweeteners, which would offer consumers the sweet taste without calories. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a natural herb with low calorie sweetener. Stevioside is one of the principal diterpene glycosides in this herb having sweetness 250-300 times more than sucrose. In search for an alternative natural calorie-free sweetener, stevioside would be suitable but it is essential that it is exonerated of toxicities. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the female reproductive toxicity of aqueous Stevia extract and Stevioside in a mammalian model system. This study reports that the oral intake of water-based sweet stevia extract and stevioside, at doses 500mg/kg body weight and 800mg/kg body weight, respectively, does not cause any significant female reproductive toxic effect in Swiss albino mouse.