Effect of aqueous-alcoholic extract of Ducrosia Anethifolia Boiss on the fetal liver of diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: Moshgak (Ducrosia anethifolia) is a wild plant with medicinal value. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Moshgak on the liver tissue of the diabetic rat fetus. Materials and Methods: In this animal study, the aqueous-alcoholic extract of Moshgak was prepared in the standard method. Forty rats were divided randomly into five groups, including control, sham, and three diabetic groups. The rats were diabetic with intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (80 mg) and 2 diabetic groups were treated with Moshgak extract (280 and 560 mg/kg/bw) for 19 days. The rats were anesthetized and their blood was taken to measure the blood glucose, insulin, and malondialdehyde. Then, their fetuses were removed. The fetal liver sections were obtained by using the stereological methods. The micrometry of the liver tissue was performed and data were analyzed. Results: The finding showed a statistically significant increase (P < 0.01) in the total volume of liver, connective tissue, sinusoid, and hepatocytes in diabetic rats compared to control rats, while these parameters decreased significantly in treated groups with Moshgak. Hepatic cell count hepatic decreased in the treated groups. Furthermore, the changes in blood glucose, malondialdehyde, and insulin in diabetic rats were improved significantly by Moshgak treatment. The dilation of sinusoids, hepatocyte vacuolation, and mild lymphocytosis was observed in all diabetic groups except the treatment group with Moshgak 560 mg/kg/bw. Conclusions: According to obtained results, Moshgak extract was able to compensate partially the changes induced by diabetes in the fetal liver tissue. Therefore, due to the side effects of diabetes during pregnancy, further research on anti-diabetic properties of Moshgak is suggested.