Epilepsy is associated with an increased risk of having malformed children.
Gabapentin (GBP) is a new generation antiepileptic drug and categorized as ‘C'
considering its possible teratogenic risk. The present study adopted two integrated aspects.
The first has dealt with investigating the possible toxic side effects of GBP on the
developing chick embryos in terms of morphological and endo-skeletal studies. The second
examined the possible ameliorative effect of ginger water extract against the toxicity
induced by GBP injection. Injection of GBP resulted in adverse effects in chick embryos
at different levels. Morphologically, the chick embryos suffered from significant growth
retardation and various morphological malformations such as omphalocele, limb
deformities, short beak and subcutaneous hemorrhage. The endoskeleton showed different
alterations including kyphosis, caudal regression syndrome kinked tail and pygostyle, loss
of some bone. In addition, there was reduction in the ossification centers of long bones.
Co-injection of ginger along with GBP decreased the incidence of most morphological and
endo-sk0eletal alterations, furthermore, increased the length of ossification centers in long
bones compared with GBP alone. In conclusion, the use of GBP as an AED should be
treated with highly caution during pregnancy and ginger is recommended to be taken in
parallel for its ameliorative role in this regard.