title: Effects of phenytoin and Echinacea purpurea extract on proliferation and apoptosis of mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells.
abstract: Cleft palate is one of the most common birth defects. Several environment factors are involved in the disorder, such as smoking, vitamin deficiency and teratogens. We investigated the teratogenic agent phenytoin and extract of the immunostimulant Echinacea purpurea in the etiology of cleft palate associated with the proliferation and apoptosis of mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal (MEPM) cells. We measured the effects of phenytoin, E. purpurea extract, and the mixture of phenytoin and E. purpurea extract on the cell viability of MEPM cells by CCK-8 assay and on the proliferation and apoptosis of MEPM cells by BrdU labeling assay, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assay. Exposure to phenytoin for 24 h inhibited cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis of MEPM cells, and E. purpurea extract had the reverse effect. Importantly, treatment with the mixture of phenytoin and E. purpurea extract increased the proliferation and decreased the apoptosis of MEPM cells as compared with treatment with phenytoin alone. The teratogenic effect of phenytoin on cleft palate is associated with the proliferation and apoptosis of MEPM cells, and E. purpurea extract may have a protective effect.
authors.affiliation: Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Zhenguo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Shijie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D020900:Echinacea; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010159:Palate / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013723:Teratogens; D010672:Phenytoin