Multiple Skeletal Anomalies of Sprague Dawley Rats following Prenatal Exposure to Anastatica hierochuntica, as Delineated by a Modified Double-Staining Method.

Anastatica hierochuntica (A. hierochuntica) is a plant that originates from Middle Eastern countries. This herb is commonly consumed by pregnant women to ease the process of childbirth. However, consumption of A. hierochuntica during the prenatal period may disrupt foetal development. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential effects of four different doses (0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) of A. hierochuntica aqueous extract (AHAE) on the skeletal development of Sprague Dawley rat foetuses. The AHAE was administered from gestational day (GD) 6 till GD20. We also aimed to produce a simplified and reproducible skeletal staining procedure for proper skeletal assessment of full-term Sprague Dawley rat foetuses. Skeletal structures were stained using a modified method that utilised Alcian Blue 8GX and Alizarin Red S dyes. The staining procedure involved fixation, skinning, evisceration, cartilage staining, bone staining and clearing. Our modified staining technique has successfully showed a clear demarcation between the bone and cartilage components, which enabled objective assessment of the skeletal ossification following administration of AHAE. Some skeletal anomalies such as sacrocaudal agenesis and maxillary defect (cleft lip) were observed in 250 and 1000 mg/kg groups, respectively. These findings indicate potential toxicity effects of AHAE on the developing foetuses.

Toxicological Effects of Technical Xylene Mixtures on the Female Reproductive System: A Systematic Review.

Technical xylene is a compound of massive production that is used in applications such as petrochemical and healthcare laboratories. Exposure to xylene can cause acute and chronic effects in humans and animals. Currently available studies regarding xylene's adverse effects with credible designs were dated almost twenty years ago. This systematic review summarizes the findings regarding the detrimental effects of technical xylene from human, animal, and in vitro studies. It recapitulated available studies with respect to the effects of xylene on the female reproductive system to stress the need for updating the current data and guidelines. Based on pre-specified criteria, 22 studies from journal databases exploring the toxic effects of xylene on menstruation, endocrine endpoints, fetal development, and reproductive functions were included for the review. It was found that related studies with a specific focus on the effects of technical xylene on the female reproductive system were insufficient. Therefore, further studies are necessary to update the existing data, thus improving the quality and reliability of risk assessment of exposure to xylene in pregnant women.

Biological activities of Anastatica hierochuntica L.: A systematic review.

Anastatica hierochuntica L. (A. hierochuntica) is a desert plant consumed by people across the globe to treat various medical conditions. This review is aimed at providing a summary of the scientific findings on biological activities of A. hierochuntica and suggests areas in which further research is needed. This systematic review was synthesized from the literature obtained from the following databases; PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Ovid Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar and WorldCat. Previous studies have indicated that the methanolic and aqueous extracts of this plant have antioxidant, antifungal and antimicrobial activities. It was shown to have the ability to activate phagocytes and to possess microbicidal activity, thereby causing increased resistance to infection. Both methanolic and aqueous extracts of this plant were also demonstrated to have a hypoglycaemic property, whilst the methanolic extract significantly exhibited hypolipidaemic effects in diabetic rats. Moreover, the methanolic extract of A. hierochuntica has been suggested to have hepatoprotective properties. This is supported by its ability to significantly decrease transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Besides, this desert plant exhibited anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic and gastroprotective activities. Even though A. hierochuntica is widely used, studies on this plant are still scarce, thus its reputed biological activities and medical benefits require critical evaluation. Before A. hierochuntica can be used clinically, further studies need to be conducted to increase our understanding of the effects of this plant, its constituents, and possible mechanisms of action.

Effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on the development of the reproductive system of Sprague Dawley rats.

OBJECTIVES: Genistein is known to influence reproductive system development through its binding affinity for estrogen receptors. The present study aimed to further explore the effect of Genistein on the development of the reproductive system of experimental rats. METHODS: Eighteen post-weaning female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: (i) a control group that received vehicle (distilled water and Tween 80); (ii) a group treated with 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Genistein (Gen 10); and (iii) a group treated with a higher dose of Genistein (Gen 100). The rats were treated daily for three weeks from postnatal day 22 (P22) to P42. After the animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected, and the uteri and ovaries were harvested and subjected to light microscopy and immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: A reduction of the mean weekly BW gain and organ weights (uteri and ovaries) were observed in the Gen 10 group compared to the control group; these findings were reversed in the Gen 100 group. Follicle stimulating hormone and estrogen levels were increased in the Gen 10 group and reduced in the Gen 100 group. Luteinizing hormone was reduced in both groups of Genistein-treated animals, and there was a significant difference between the Gen 10 and control groups (p<0.05). These findings were consistent with increased atretic follicular count, a decreased number of corpus luteum and down-regulation of estrogen receptors-a in the uterine tissues of the Genistein-treated animals compared to the control animals. CONCLUSION: Post-weaning exposure to Genistein could affect the development of the reproductive system of ovarian-intact experimental rats because of its action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by regulating hormones and estrogen receptors.

Effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on the development of the reproductive system of Sprague Dawley rats

OBJECTIVES: Genistein is known to influence reproductive system development through its binding affinity for estrogen receptors. The present study aimed to further explore the effect of Genistein on the development of the reproductive system of experimental rats. METHODS: Eighteen post-weaning female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: (i) a control group that received vehicle (distilled water and Tween 80); (ii) a group treated with 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Genistein (Gen 10); and (iii) a group treated with a higher dose of Genistein (Gen 100). The rats were treated daily for three weeks from postnatal day 22 (P22) to P42. After the animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected, and the uteri and ovaries were harvested and subjected to light microscopy and immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: A reduction of the mean weekly BW gain and organ weights (uteri and ovaries) were observed in the Gen 10 group compared to the control group; these findings were reversed in the Gen 100 group. Follicle stimulating hormone and estrogen levels were increased in the Gen 10 group and reduced in the Gen 100 group. Luteinizing hormone was reduced in both groups of Genistein-treated animals, and there was a significant difference between the Gen 10 and control groups (p<0.05). These findings were consistent with increased atretic follicular count, a decreased number of corpus luteum and down-regulation of estrogen receptors-a in the uterine tissues of the Genistein-treated animals compared to the control animals. CONCLUSION: Post-weaning exposure to Genistein could affect the development of the reproductive system of ovarian-intact experimental rats because of its action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by regulating hormones and estrogen receptors.