الفهرس 
Experimental animalsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Antiepileptic drugs are chemicals that used for the treatment of epilepsy and several neurological and psychiatric disorders. The antiepileptic is acting to suppress the rapid and excessive firing of neurons that start a seizure.Depakine, sodium valproate, is an antiepileptic and mood stabilizing drug acts on the neurotransmitter gamma – aminobutyric acid in the brain, increases its concentration and activity. Depakine is reported to have many side effects on some body organs.Saffron (Crocus Sativus) is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Saffron is a spice characterized by bitter and a hay-like fragrances and contains many useful compounds. Modern medicine has discovered saffron as having anti-carcinogenic, antimutagentic, antioxidant and immunomodulating properties.The present study examined the histological, histochemical, cytogenetic and biochemical effects of depakine and the ameliorative effect of saffron.Animal groups Animals were divided to six groups.The first group Animals of this group (10 rats) served as controls.The second group Animals of this group (10 rats) were given orally by gastric tube saffron at a dose level of 20 ml/kg b.w of rat once a week for six weeks.The third group Animals of this group (10 rats) were given orally by gastric tube depakine at a dose level of 80 mg/kg b.w of rat daily for 3 weeks.mg/kg b.w of rat daily for 3weeks.The fourth group Animals of this group were given orally by gastric tube depakine at a dose level of 80 mg/kg b.w of rat daily for 3 weeks.mg/kg b.w of rat daily for 6 weeks.The fifth group Animals of this group (10 rats) were given orally by gastric tube depakine at a dose level of 80 mg/kg b.w of rat daily and after two hours ,they were given saffron at a dose level of 20 ml/kg b.w of rat once a week for 3 weeks.The sixth group Animals of this group (10 rats) were given orally by gastric tube depakine at a dose level of 80 mg/kg b.w of rat daily and after two hours, they were given saffron at a dose level of 20 ml/kg b.w of rat once a week for 6 weeks.This study revealed many results which could be summarized as following.1)Cytogenetic results A- Chromosomal aberrations *Structural aberrationsChromatid deletion, chromosomal ring, centromeric attenuation, centric fusion, chromatic fragmentation, chromatid gabs, chromatid breaks and stick ness of chromosomes.* Numerical aberrations Monosomy, trisomy, tetrasomy and polyploidyB- Mitotic index Animals given saffron showed normal cytogenetic results as those of controls. Animals treated with depakine for 3 and 6 weeks exhibited significant increase in chromosomal aberrations and decrease in mitotic index in compare to control and saffron groups. Treatment by saffron with depakine decreases the number of chromosomal aberration and increase in mitotic index in compare to depakine only groups.2- Molecular results A) DNA single stranded breaks (comet assay)Treatment with saffron only caused no damage in DNA comparing with control animals. Depakine treated animals revealed a large number of damaged, strongly damaged and total damaged cells in compare to control group. Animals taken depakine and saffron for 3 and 6 weeks showed a marked decrease in damaged, strongly damaged and total damaged cells in compare to groups treated with depakine.B) DNA double stranded breaks Treatment with depakine for 3 and 6 weeks increased the optical density of released DNA markedly.Animals taken depakine and saffron showed decrease in the optical density of released DNA comparing with depakine groups.3- Sperm head abnormalities In saffron treated animals sperms were normal. Sperm head abnormalities (without hook, banana, amorphous and hummer shapes) were significantlyincreased in animals treated with depakine for 3 and 6 weeks. Treatment by saffron with depakine for 3 and 6 weeks decreased sperm head abnormalities significantly.4- Histological results Animals treated with saffron alone (20ml/kg b.w) once a weak for 6 weeks did not show any histopathological change and revealed normal semineferous tubules as those of controls. Animals treated with depakine (80mg/kg b.w) daily for 3 and 6 weeks revealed damage of large number of seminiferous tubules with degenerated spermatogenic layers and less compact spermatogenic cells. Cytoplasmic vaculizations of the spermatogenic cells and haemorrahge of the degenerated intertubular connective tissue were observed. Marked Decrease or completely loss of spermatogonia and sperms was also seen. These observations are more obvious in animals taken depakine for 6 weeks.Animals treated with depakine and saffron together for 3 and 6 weeks (80mg/kg b.w daily for depakine and 20 ml/kg b.w once a week for saffron) showed improvement in the histological changes appeared in the treatment by depakine only for 3 and 6 weeks. Most of seminiferous tubules had normal structures and the spermatogenic layers arranged normally and increased as well as the increase in number of sperm bundles. The degree of improvement was greater in animals taken depakine and saffron for 6 weeks.5- Morphometric results The diameter and epithelial height of seminiferous tubules of animals administered saffron were nearly similar to that of control ones. Animals treated with depakine exhibited a marked decrease while animals treated with depakine and saffron showed a significant increase in diameter and epithelial height of seminiferous tubules.6- Histochemical results A) Polysacchrides Animals administered saffron for 6 weeks showed no change in histochemical feature compared with controls. There was a marked decrease in polysacchrides content in testes of rats treated with depakine for 3 and 6 weeks. Testes of rats given depakine and saffron for 3 and 6 weeks restored their content of polysacchrides.B) Total proteins Testes of animals administered saffron showed normal protein content as control ones. Treatment with depakine for 3 and 6 weeks decreased the protein content significantly. Testes of animals treated with depakine and saffron for 3 and 6 weeks showed marked increase in the protein content.7- Biochemical results Sera of animals administered saffron for 6 weeks showed normal biochemical results as control ones. Treatment with depakine for 3 and 6 weeks caused an increase in malondialdehyde levels and decrease in levels of catalase and reducing antioxidant power. Animals taken depakine and saffron for 3 and 6 weeks showed reduction in the elevated levels of malondialdehyde and increase in levels of catalase and reducing antioxidant power.