Fig. 7.

Representative photomicrographs for the effect of carnosic acid and tin protoporphyrin IX given as single or combined treatment on the histopathological alterations detected in H&E-stained sections of the prefrontal cortices of ovariectomized mice. The prefrontal cortex of the sham group (a–c) shows normal arrangement of the molecular (M), external granular (EG), and external pyramidal (EP) layers of the cortex. Cell bodies of the neurons exhibit rounded open-face nuclei and prominent nucleoli (N) surrounded with little cytoplasm. Blood capillaries (arrowheads) of different sizes are seen within the eosinophilic neuropil. The cortical surface is regular with well-attached meninges (double arrows). Sections from OVX mice (d–f) reveal neuronal cells forming dysregulated cortical laminae with clumped groups of clustered neurons (dashed arrow). The molecular layer (M) is broad. Many neurons are darkly stained and shrunken with pyknotic nuclei and pericellular haloes (arrows). The cortical surface is irregular (double arrows) and shows congested capillaries (*). Sections from CA-treated mice (g–i) show neatly arranged cortical laminae with increased number of neuronal cells and increased vascularity (arrowheads). Dark neurons with pyknotic nuclei are rarely seen (arrow). The cortical surface is regular with well-attached meninges (double arrows). Cortical tissues of SnPP-IX-treated animals (j–l) show marked cellular infiltration with large patches of inflammatory cells (bifid arrow) and congestion (*). The neuropil appears moth-eaten (circle) or with large vacuoles (v). Cortical laminae are dysregulated and some darkly stained neurons with pyknotic nuclei (arrow) are seen. The surface of the cortex is very irregular (double arrows) and shows congested dilated meningeal vessels (*). In the mice that received combined treatment (m–o), there is a fair arrangement of cortical laminae with broad molecular layer (M). Dark shrunken neurons with pyknotic nuclei (arrows) are frequently seen. The cortical surface is irregular (double arrows) and shows congested capillaries (*). OVX, ovariectomized; CA, carnosic acid; SnPP-IX, tin protoporphyrin IX