Journal of North Khorasan

Abstract Background &Objectives: Traditionally, passiflora (passifloraceae family) is used as sedative and hypnotic agent. In the present study the probable effects of maternal administration of passiflora on lateral ventricles and neuronal density of rat neocortex was compared with those of diazepam. Material & Methods: After mating, the pregnant rats were divided as follows (n=6): control, treatment A (200mg/kg passiflora extract) and treatment B (2mg/kg diazepam). Daily subcutaneous injections were started from 12th day of gestation up to the last day of pregnancy. On delivery day, from each animal 2 newborn were randomly selected, their brain removed and fixed (formalin). After tissue processing, systematic random sections (7µ) were selected, stained (H&E) and then the lateral ventricles volumes (Cavalieri method) and neuronal density of neocortex (dissector technique) were estimated. The data were analyzed by SPSS and presented with t-test and ANOVA. Results: lateral ventricular volume and neuronal density of neocortex treated group showed no significant level of difference with those of control group. Diazepam treated group lateral ventricles volume and neuronal density showed significant increase (p<0.05). Conclusion: treatment with passiflora at dose of 200mg/kg has no significant teratogenic effect on developing embryos ‘brain. Nevertheless the teratogenic effect of high doses of passiflora can be probable.