The effect of extract of Panax ginseng on histomorphometric changes on lumbo-sacral region of the spinal cord in 18 days fetuses rat from diabetic mothers

Gestational diabetes induces developmental disorders in different parts of CNS including the spinal cord. This study investigated effect of extract of Panax ginseng on histomorphometric changes on lumbo-sacral region of the spinal cord in 18 days fetuses rat from diabetic mothers.16 rats were divided into four groups: non-diabetic control, non-diabetic recipient of the extract, diabetic control and diabetic recipient of the extract. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in diabetic groups and all 4 groups became pregnant. During pregnancy, recipient of the extract groups received ginseng extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg of body weight every day. On the 18th day of pregnancy, the mother of four groups of rats, were anesthetized, and the fetuses were obtained. In order to do histomorphometric study, lumbo-sacral region of the spinal cord separated and after the using the techniques of histology, some histological factors were measured. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software and ANOVA and Duncan statistical tests (P≤0.05). A significant reduction was observed in the transverse diameter of the spinal cord and the number of cells in gray and white matter of the spinal cord in diabetic control group than other groups in 18 days fetuses (P≤0.05). Also a significant increase was observed in vertical diameter of central canal of the spinal cord in diabetic control group than diabetic groups in 18 days fetuses (P≤0.05). Extract of Panax ginseng can control hyperglycemia and manage diabetes on the lumbo-sacral spinal disorders in fetuses of mothers with gestational diabetes by increasing insulin production.