Evaluation of teratogenicity of salvia leriifolia benth. in mice

It has been shown that Salvia leriifolia Benth. has various pharmacological effects such as anti-hyperglycemia, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle relaxant and sedative effect. There is a considerable potential for usage of this plant during pregnancy. However, its effects on embryonic development have not been examined. In this study, the in vivo fetotoxicity of S. leriifolia aqueous and alcoholic extracts were evaluated in mice. For this purpose, 10% and 30% of the maximal tolerated dose [MTD] of aqueous or alcoholic extracts were daily injected intraperitoneally in pregnant mice on GD=6 [Gestation Day] to GD=14. On GD=18, embryos were harvested by Cesarean section and then morphological structures and skeletal anomalies were evaluated. Other embryos were fixed and stained for bone and cartilage assessments. Both doses of alcoholic and aqueous extracts caused significant decrease in weight gain of pregnant mice; length and weight of fetuses were also reduced remarkably compared to the control group. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts caused some abnormalities such as spina bifida, limb abnormalities, abdominal bleeding, and bone abnormalities. This study presents strong evidence that S. leriifolia can cause numerous embryotoxicities. Thus, pregnant women should be careful in using this herb during pregnancy and it is best to avoid its use until further studies are performed

Patterns of glycoconjugate distribution during molar tooth germ development in mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the structure and distribution of Glycoconjugates during molar tooth germ development in mice Sixteen tooth germs were obtained from BALB/c mice embryos 15 to 18 days post-gestation and fixed in 10% formalin. After routine tissue processing, 5 micro m sections were cut and stained with BSA1-B4 and PNA using the lectin histochemical method. All slides were evaluated by light microscopy. Both lectins showed positive reaction in the tooth germ but with spatiotemporal differences. During bell stage, the reaction was strong with BSA1-B4 but moderate with PNA. Strong PNA uptake was observed in the odontoblastic and ameloblastic nuclei along with the apical cytoplasm of the ameloblasts. Although the lectins that were used in the present study recognize the same terminal sugar residue, they reacted with different disaccharide sequences with various penaltomer sugars. Therefore it may be assumed that the pattern of affinity for different parts of the developing tooth germ such as ameloblasts and odontoblasts is different in various lectins

[ changes of stromal chondroitine sulfate in BPH and prostate adenocarcinoma]

Despite many studies, the base of formation of hyperplasia and malignancy is unknown. Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men all over the world. The extracellular matrix [ECM] contains a number of macromolecules that may influence normal and neoplastic growth of tissues. The pericellular glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulfate [GAG/Ch.s] has been ascribed roles in cell-cell adhesion, cellular matrix adhesion, cellular migration and embryological morphogenesis. In this research changes of concentration of ch.s in BPH and prostate adenocarcinoma studied. Formalin-fixed samples of BPH and adenocarcinoma were taken from patients by surgery [prostatectomy]. According to their histological characteristics [with H-E staining], samples were confirmed as BPH or prostate cancer by a pathologist. All samples were fixed in PBS-formalin, processed in standard laboratory protocols, and embedded in paraffin wax. Samples were sectioned in each 5 mm. Then critical electrolyte concentration [CEC] alcian blue staining [ph=5.8] was performed. The concentration of GAG/chondroitin sulfate in ECM was significantly higher in adenocarcinoma as compared to BPH especially in the stromal-epithelial interface. In BPH, luminal surfaces were moderately stained of ch.s but poorly stained of the adjacent fibromuscular stromal tissues or were not stained at all. In adenocarcinoma chs revealed an intense pricellular-staining pattern, the most intense staining was observed in the base membrane. The changes of concentration of GAG/ ch.s between BPH and adenocarcinoma were totally different [and specific]. The increased ch.s may be a response or requirement for epithelial growth or cell division. Therefore, the intensity of GAG/Ch.s in prostate stroma may be a useful biomarker of disease progression in prostate cancer