Could cinnamaldehyde be harnful? histological, cytogenetical and biochemical studies on the effects on some organs of mice

Cinnamaldehyde [CNMA] is present naturally as cinnamon tree. Because of its widespread use as fragrance additive, it was chosen for the current study. Sixty mice were divided into 6 equal groups. First three groups were control groups and the other three groups received CNMA daily, orally in three dose regimens; 1/2 LD50, 1/4 LD50 and 1/8 LD50 for 30 consecutive days, then animals were sacrificed; Liver function tests and liver tissue glutathione concentration were determined. Pancreatic specimens and olfactory mucosa were processed for both light and transmission electron microscopic studies and for scanning electron microscopic study respectively. Bone marrow cells micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests were performed for cytogenetical study. cinnamaldehyde, in a dose related manner resulted in abnormal nuclear morphology and hyperchromatasia with increased nuclear/cytoplasinic ratio of the pancreatic acinar cells and decreased tendency for acinar formation, suggesting pancreatic acinar dysplasia. Atrophy of receptor cells of olfactory mucosa with diminished surface processes was observed in mice received 1/2 LD50 cNMA. cinnamaldehyde induced dose dependent increase in the frequency of both micro nucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and chromosomal aberrations. Significant elevation of the liver enzymes, total bilirubin and a significant reduction of the liver glutathione concentration were also detected in a dose related manner in conclusion, the considered toxicity assay parameters had shown a correlation between the administered dose of CNMA and its deteriorative effects. So, it is recommended that CNMA should not be consumed in a dose more than the acceptable daily intake and its use as flavoring agent should be kept as low as possible

Electron microscopic study of the endometrium in dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Fifty endometrial biopsies has been taken during the episode of bleeding from women with diagnosed dysfunctional uterine bleeding [DUB], and the endometrial pattern has been studied by light microcopy. The anovulatory endometrium comprised 90% of cases. The ultrastructure of the endometrium in 20 of these cases representing the various endometrial patterns encunted has been studied by electron microscopy. The ultrastructural findings related to the bleeding problem in the study cases were as follows: [a] cell organelles were poorly developed in the proliferative and atrophic endometrium with variable development in the hyperplastic endometrium and they were only well developed in the secretory type. [b] Excessive fibrosis was found in all cases of hyperplastic and atrophic endometrium, in half of the cases in the proliferative type and only in one fourth of cases in the secretory type. [c] The blood vessels were abundant in the hyperplastic and very superficial with very thin fibrosed wall in the atrophic endometrium. The deficient development of cell organelles, the excessive fibrosis and the abnormal vascularity could be factors behind the bleeding problem in DuB