Fig. 8
A Representative microscopic pictures of alcian blue-stained colorectal tissues from control, dimethylhydrazine (DMH), DMH + artemisinin (DMH + ART), and DMH + artemisinin-loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles (DMH + ART-PLA NPs) groups showing normal bluish mucous content in mucosal epithelium (black arrows). Colorectal tissue of DMH group reveals decreased mucous content in area of deep mucosal necrosis (black arrowheads). Colorectal tissue of DMH + ART group shows superficially decreased mucous content in mucosa (black arrowheads). Colorectal tissue of DMH + ART-PLA NPs group displays increased mucous content in the mucosa (black arrow). Somewhat increased goblet cell area (black arrow) with superficially decreased bluish mucous content in mucosa (black arrowheads). Colorectal tissue of DMH + ART-PLA NPs group showing markedly increased goblet cell area (black arrow). Magnifications are × 100; bar = 100 µm. B Bar chart representing changes in goblet cells area % in colorectal tissue using “Image J” software. All the values are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 10). # means significant as compared to control group p < 0.05, ! means significant as compared to control groups and DMH group p < 0.05, $ means significant as compared to other groups p < 0.05