Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Penganum harmala is a well known herb that is used by different societies. It is used as a medical
herb in treating various diseases and disorders .There was no earlier published work on the effects of
the aqueous extract of Peganum harmala . Therefore, we designed this study to investigate the effect
of the aqueous extract of Peganum harmala seeds on the mammary gland at the various physiological
states (virgin, pregnancy and lactation) making use of the available histological, histochemical, and
immunohistochemical means.
METHODS:
Aqueous extract of Peganum harmala was given for two weeks by an orogastric tube on single regular
daily dosage to Norway albino female rats. Animals were subdivided into subgroups according to
their physiological states. Mammary glands of these animals were routinely processed for histological,
immunohistochemical and histochemical studies using formalin fixative ,paraffin embedded sections
in the first two studies and formal calcium, frozen sections in the third study. Experimental specimens
were compared with that of control subgroups.
RESULTS :
Harmal induced mammogenesis in the mammary glands of virgin rats. It's aqueous extract was able to
initiate lactogenesis in a well-prepared mammary gland (i. e. during pregnancy) and finally this
aqueous extract promotes lactogenesis when administrated during lactation.
CONCLUSION :
Peganum harmala is a mmammogenic herb .
KEYWORDS: Peganum harmala, mammary