امین درخشانفر - Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
هادی توکلی - Dept. of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
علی پوست فروش فرد - Vice-Chancellery for Research Affairs, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
جواد مویدی - Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Background & Objective: Toxico-pathological effects of herbal plants have always been a major concern, but little information is provided on the toxico-pathological effects of origanum on the fetus. Due to ethical rules and regulations, no drug experiment on the human fetus is permitted; hence, the chick embryo model is used as an ideal opportunity to study the adverse effects of drugs. This study aims to assess the histopathological effects of the various doses of Origanum vulgare (O. vulgare) using the chick embryo model. Materials & Methods: Ross chicken eggs were subjected into four experimental groups (n=۷); phosphate buffered saline-injected group and Origanum-injected groups that were treated with O. vulgare leaf-extract at doses of ۲۵, ۵۰, and ۱۰۰ mg per kg egg-weight, respectively. After injecting the embryos with the extracts, re-incubation was performed and allowed to develop until day ۱۸, when embryos were evaluated for pathological lesions. Results: Treated embryos were normal in the Origanum-injected groups and no defect was noticed on the body features. The microscopic lesions including congestion and edema were made in the brain, liver, kidney, heart, and lung in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: It can be concluded that O. vulgare at a concentration higher than ۲۵ mg per kg is toxic for chick embryo in a dose-dependent manner; therefore, more attention should be given to the toxicity of O. vulgare in the period of fetal development.

Chick, Embryo, Fetus, Origanum vulgare, Pathology