histological study of parotid gland malformation in fetuses with maternal treatment with Panax ginseng

ABSTRACT

The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Panax Ginseng on the development of salivary [parotid] glands in mice. It is generally believed that natural' herbal medicines including Ginseng are better and safer than conventional medicine and can be used safely during pregnancy even during the organ genic period. However, it was found that maternal treatment with Panax Ginseng negatively affected the development of parotid gland in fetuses with a reduction in number of acini and increase in mesenchymal connective tissue which failed to differentiate into parenchyma of the acini. There was also an increased erythrocytic infiltration in the glandular tissue; the changes encountered in the treated groups were dose dependent, with severe malformations apparent in high dose treated group