Morphometric Study of the Effect of Walnut (Juglans Regia) Leaf Extract on Cerebrum Malformation in Offsprings of Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of Juglans regia leaves ethanolic extract of maternal diabetes on fetal brain structure, especially in cerebrum. A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley female rats became diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). The animals were divided randomly into four groups. Rats in all groups became pregnant by natural mating. At day 1, 14 and 28 days after birth, the cerebrum was collected from offspring of all rats and neonatal weight was measured. Various histological parameters were determined using histological techniques. Results revealed a significant decrease in number of cells in gray matter and white matter at 1, 14 and 28 days after birth and a significant decrease in thickness of gray matter and molecular layer at day 14 post neonatal in cerebrum in offspring of diabetic mothers as compared with other groups. Maternal diabetes has significant deleterious effects on cerebrum and leads to decrease in the number of neurons and change in the shape of brain. Walnut leaf extract prevents harmful effects of diabetes on the brain structure in offspring of diabetic mothers