Ultrastructural changes in the mouse placenta after administration of trichosanthin

Abstract

The root tuber ofTrichosanthes kirlowiiMaxim (Family curcurbitaceae) has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine as an abortifacient and in therapy for choriocarcinoma. The active principle of the root tuber extract was recently purified and characterized. It is a basic protein of 24 KDa and is named trichosanthin. Investigations on trichosanthin action showed that it affected directly on the placenta, selectively causing necrosis of the syncytiotrophoblasts of placental villi. The present study attempts to determine the initial action of trichosanthin and follow through from the earliest sign of histopathological and ultrastructural changes of the mouse placentae after administration of trichosanthin.Mature ICR female mice were used. On the tenth day of gestation, a single dose of trichosanthin was injected intraperitoneally. The dosage used was 0.1 mg of trichosanthin in physiological saline per 25 g body weight of the mouse. At various prescribed intervals after injection, the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation.