Background: Diclofenac sodium (DS) is regarded as one of the most significant and often used medications. Numerous cases of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and soft tissue rheumatism are all treated with it. Despite the drug''s positive effects, some medical studies accuse it of having pathogenic effects after being used for medicinal purposes on the body''s organs.
Objective: The purpose of the current research was to assess the histological impact of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium (DS) on the pancreas of albino mice foetuses.
Material and methods: Six groups of 60 pregnant female mice were prepared (10 mice each). Each animal in the first and second groups received an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of the drug''s solvent every day for six days, from day 1 till day 6 of gestation (GDs 1-6) and from day 7 to day 14 of gestation (GDs 7–14), respectively. These groups served as the control groups. The third and five groups are the treated groups, receiving daily (IP) injections of 1.5 and 3 mg/kg body weight of DS from days 1 through 6 of gestation (GDs 1-6), respectively, whereas the animals in groups fourth and six received similarly daily injections of 1.5 and 3 mg/kg body weight of DS for 8 days (GDs 7-14), respectively.
Results: The pancreas of maternally treated foetuses underwent histological study, which revealed signs of alteration in both the exocrine and endocrine structures. These features varied according to the dose and period of administration, and they included focal acinar damage that manifested as cytoplasmic vacuolation and necrosis, pyknotic, and karyolysed nuclei, as well as blood extravasations that revealed hemorrhagic appearances.
Conclusion: Because of the damaging effects of DS on the developing pancreas of mice, it should only be administered under rigorous control in the medical profession to safeguard expectant mothers from its potentially harmful effects.