Effect of saffron
Effect of saffron on liver development in
mouse embryo
AmalAyedh and Fatma Al-Qudsi
Biology Department, Science
Faculty, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
P.O. Box 42650, Jeddah
21551, Saudi Arabia
Abstract: Saffron
is internationally used as a food additive it is also used as an herbal
medicine. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of everyday used
doses of aqueous saffron extract on liver development in mice embryos. Forty
five pregnant Swiss white Rodeless mice were divided into three groups. Group 1
received 10ml/kg body weight double distilled wateras control, group 2 received
a high dose of aqueous saffron extract 100 mg saffron / kg body weight and
group 3 received a low dose of aqueous saffron extract 2.5 mg saffron / kg body
weight. Doses were administered orally for 5 days during the first and second
weeks of gestation and for four days during the third week of gestation.
Embryos were extracted on day 14, 18 of gestation and day 1 neonates. LPO, GSH
and total protein content of liver at day 18 of gestation were measured.
Histological structure of embryonic liver was studied. Significant decrease in
LPO, significant increase in the GSH and a non-significant decrease in the
total protein content of 18 day livers of embryos of treated mothers was seen
compared to the control group. On the histological and ultra-structural level
many deterioration were seen in the liver of embryos of treated mothers such as
dilation and congestion of central veins and portal veins. It was concluded
that oral administration of both doses of saffron caused deterioration of
embryonic liver tissue.
[AmalAyedh andFatma Al-Qudsi. Effect of
saffron on liver development in mouse embryo. Life Sci J2013;10(1):1480-1495]
(ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.
Key words: Saffron, mouse embryo liver development, liver histology, apoptosis, hepatocytes.
