The effect of berberis vulgaris leaf aqueous extract on morphometric characteristics of the developing chick embryos

Fereshteh Naderiallaf,1 Saeedeh zafar balanejad,2,* Jina khayatzadeh,3 Fereshteh naderiallaf,4

1. Biology Department, faculty of sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch.
2. Biology Department, faculty of sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch.
3. Biology Department, faculty of sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch.
4. Biology Department, faculty of sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch.

Abstract

Introduction

Limb formation begins when mesenchymal cells from the lateral plate mesoderm and somitic mesenchymal cells proliferate in the morphogenetic limb field. one of the herbal plants with medicinal usage is barberry which scientifically known as berberis vulgaris. in this study, the effect of berberis vulgaris leaf aqueous extract on the limb formation was studied.

Methods

: 90 ross fertilized eggs were randomly divided in 5 groups as following: control group, sham-exposed group and experimental groups: 1) treated with berberis vulgaris leaf aqueous extract at 100 (mgr/ml) concentration. 2) treated with berberis vulgaris leaf aqueous extract at 200 (mgr/ml) concentration. 3) treated with berberis vulgaris leaf aqueous extract at 500 (mgr/ml) concentration. on the second day of incubation a window was opened on the eggs. on the third day (56 hours incubation) eggs were treated with 10 microliters of pbs in sham-exposed group and 10 microliters of the extract at concentrations of 100, 200 and 500 mgr/ml in experimental groups. on the twelfth day, weights and cr length and hind limb weight and length were measured by digital scale and caliper. the data were analyzed by t and anova (p<0/05) tests by using spss software.

Results

The comparison of weights and hind limb weight and length mean in experimental groups with control group showed a significant decrease in all experimental groups.

Conclusion

According to the results of this study berberis vulgaris leaf aqueous extract at a concentration of 100, 200 and 500 mgr/ml reduces the weight and the hind limb weight and length of the chick embryo.

Keywords

Limb formation, berberis vulgaris, chick embryo