Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate of berberry fruit extract in the sensitive period of pregnancy on growth and changes histomorfometric in fetal mouse liver.
Material and Methods: Twenty pregnant mice were equally divided into four groups: Control group did not receive any injection, Sham group received distilled water and experimental groups received berberry extract (4 and 40 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on days 7, 8 and 9 of gestation. Female mice were killed on gestation day 18 and each fetus was removed and examined for external malformations. Histological studies were done on fetal liver.
Results: No significant differences in indicators of embryotoxicity were found among control, sham and 4 mg/kg groups. Our results showed administration of extract of berberry fruit to pregnant mice in the 40 mg/kg group could induce some malformation such as micromelia, spina bifida, subcutaneous hemorrhage, Placenta and fetal atrophy. Mean crown-rump length of fetuses and mean placental diameters of 40 mg/kg group was significantly decreased compared to control group. Histomorfometric study of liver tissue of fetuses revealed that mean total surface of hepatocytes significantly increasedin 40 mg/kg group compared to control group. However, liver sinosuids significantly decreasedin 40 mg/kg group compared to control group. Mean number of hepatocyte nuclei significantly increased in 40 mg/kg groups compared to control group.
Conclusion: It seems that administration of 40 mg/kg extract of beberry fruit to pregnant mice may because abnormalities in fetal growth and histological changes of fetal liver tissue.