摘要 : Background and Objectives: The use of medicinal plants and different herbs in the treatment of different ailments by the populace including pregnant women may have some teratogenic effects on the fetuses. <i>Costus afer is a medic... 展开 Background and Objectives: The use of medicinal plants and different herbs in the treatment of different ailments by the populace including pregnant women may have some teratogenic effects on the fetuses. <i>Costus afer is a medicinal plant used in tropical Africa in treating inflammation, rheumatism, arthritis, hepatic disorders, miscarriages, epileptic attack and hemorrhoids. This study is aimed at evaluating <i>Costus afer on fetal morphology and cerebral cortex of albino rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four female rats weighing between 150 and 180 g divided into 4 groups; Group A (Control), Group B (Low dose), C (Medium dose) and D (High dose) were used. The female rats were mated with mature male rats for pregnancy. Groups B, C and D animals received orally 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg~(?)~(1) b.wt., of ethanolic leaf extracts of <i>Costus afer , respectively on days 7-12 of gestation. On day 19 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed and fetuses examined. Results: Results showed no observable malformation on the external structures of the fetuses. Reduction in the weight, crown-rump length and tail length of the fetuses in treated group B, C and D, when compared to the control group was not significant (p>0.05). Results from the histological examination by using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining technique showed no evidence of alteration of the cerebral cortex of the treated groups when compared to the control group. Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extract of <i>Costus afer appears to be safe for use during pregnancy with probably no toxic effects on the morphology and histology of the cerebral cortex of fetuses of albino Wistar rat. 收起