The investigation of the effects of Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz extract on spleen: a histochemical study

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Aim: Spleen is an organ of immune and hematopoietic system and involves extensive cellular interactions. Cell surface and extracellular matrix carbohydrates are important in cellular interactions (cell-cell and cell-matrix). Spleen is affected by the exposure to toxic agents. Crataegus (Hawthorn) species, which contains mainly flavonoid compounds, have such effects as antioxidant, cardioprotective, antiinflammatory and anticarcinogenic. In this study, the effects of Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz extracts on spleen were investigated via light microscopy. Materials and methods: The plant extract at concentration of 1% was given orally to rats for 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, tissues were fixed, processed and embedded in paraffin. 5 μm sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, Periodic acid-Schiff stain for histomorphology and Perl’s Prussian blue stain for hemosiderin. For lectin histochemistry, frozen sections were treated with three digoxigenin labelled lectins; peanut agglutinin (PNA) specific for galactose (1→3) N-acetylgalactosamine [Galβ(1→3)GalNAc]; Maackia amurensis leucoagglutinin (MAL) specific for sialic acidα(2→3)Galactose; Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) specific for terminal mannose residues. Results: In general, the histomorphology of the spleens and the accumulation of hemosiderin in macrophages were similar for both control and experimental groups. Lectins showed positive reactions in some cell cytoplasms and on the cell surfaces of both groups. A little more intensive GNA-positive reactions were observed on the cell surfaces. Conclusions: The plant extract at concentration of 1% did not lead to any alterations in some carbohydrate molecules and hemosiderin in the spleen.

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Crataegus aronia var. dentata Browicz , spleen , histochemistry

Pamukkale Medical Journal

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Pamukkale Medical Journal