Comparative pathological and cytogenetical study of ethanolic extract of Vinca rosea L. and Vinblastine in treating mammary gland adenocarcinoma implanted mice

Abstract

Pathological, cytogenetical comparative study was the main objectives of this project between the influence of ethanolic extract of Vinca rosea and Vinblastine (vinca alkaloid) as chemotherapy. Fourty female adult Swiss albino balb/C mice of approximately body weight (20-26g) and age (8-10) weeks were used in whole experiments. In cytogenetic study two parameters mitotic index (MI) and blast index (BI) were used. The results showed significant increase (p‹0.05) in mitotic index (MI) and blast index (BI) values in groups treated with ethanolic extract of Vinca rosea. Also the results showed significant decrease in these values in groups treated with Vinblastine. Histopathological sections in control group showed the presence of tumor growth characterized by formation of acinar like structures, with pleomorphic tumor cells and hyperchromatic nuclei with a tendency to form giant cells and high numbers of mitotic figures with extensive areas of necrosis. The tumor showed metastasis in liver and Lung, with aggregation of tumor associated macrophages in liver. Histopathological sections in groups of tumor-bearing female mice, treated with ethanolic extract, were showed large areas of necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and encapsulate with fibrous connective tissue capsule with mononuclear cell infiltrations in lung and formation of early granuloma in liver. In chemotherapy, tissue sections showed vacuolation and necrosis of tumor cells which encapsulated with fibrous connective tissue. The pathological changes characterized by alopecia, and large pneumonic areas with extensive coagulative necrosis and apoptosis in liver with hyperplastic nodules formation. Bone section showed marked depletion of hemopoietic tissue of bone marrow and increased in the number of megakaryocytes, with signs of osteoporosis. We concluded that both ethanolic extract of Vinca rosea and Vinblastine have cytotoxic effect on transplanted mammary tumor cells in mice, with no side effect in case of Vinca rosea in comparison with vinblastine which cause severe pathological changes in internal target organs with signs of osteoporosis and precancerous lesions, with significant changes in the blood picture and in cytogenetic parameters.