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.