Histological Evaluation of the Embryotoxic and Neurotoxic Effects of Mangifera indica in Prenatally Exposed Wistar Rats

Abstract

The different parts of Mangifera indica (Mango) tree are commonly used as food and for their medicinal benefits. The current study investigated the effects of its stem bark on very young Wistar rats following prenatal exposure. Twenty female Wistar rats were mated and divided into four groups. 1 ml of the crude aqueous extract of Mangifera indica stem bark was administered orally to each animal in the treatment groups for 3 consecutive days of each trimester, such that Group A received the extract on Days 3-5 of the first trimester, Group B received the extract on Days 10-12 of the second trimester, Group C received the extract on Days 17-19 of the third trimester, while Group D served as the Control, and received water throughout the gestational period. Upon delivery, some of the litters were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on postnatal day 1, and the rest on postnatal day 14. The frontal cortex of the litters was excised, fixed in 10% formalin, and processed for light microscopy, using the Haematoxylin and Eosin staining techniques. The study revealed that administration of the crude aqueous extract during the 1^st trimester led to foetal loss in all pregnant rats, and various degrees of histological abnormalities in the frontal cortex of litters in the 2^nd and 3^rd Trimesters.