title: Toxic effects of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) extract on mouse spermatogenesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of Carthamus tinctorius L., also named safflower, on mouse spermatogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen adult male NMRI mice were used. Experimental group received Carthamus tinctorius L. extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg for 35 consecutive days and control group received only distilled water. Testicular histopathology, morphometric analysis and spermatogenesis assessments were performed for evaluation of the Carthamus tinctorius L. extract effects on testis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histopathological criteria such as epithelial vacuolization, sloughing of germ and detachment were significantly decreased in Carthamus tinctorius L. treated mice (p < 0.001). Carthamus tinctorius L. extract induced formation of multinucleated giant cells in the germinal epithelium. Carthamus tinctorius L. extract also caused a significant decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter, seminiferous epithelium height and maturation arrest (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carthamus tinctorius L. extract has toxic effects on mouse testicular tissue, and recommended to use it with caution if there is a reproductive problem.
authors.affiliation: Cell & molecular research center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirhoseini
authors.forename: Masoomeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohamadpour
authors.forename: Layasadat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Khorsandi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031187:Carthamus tinctorius / Q000737:chemistry*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts