Histological and ultrastructural studies on the toxic effect of pan masala and its amelioration by Elettaria cardamomum.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the histological and ultrastructural changes observed in pan masala intoxicated mammalian testes under the effect of cardamom.


METHODS
Male Swiss mice were given pan masala orally at a dose of 2% of the feed and cardamom at a dose of 0.2% of the feed. They were divided into three groups, control (Group I), pan masala-treated (Group II), and a combination of pan masala and cardamom-treated group (Group III). Histologically, the testes of Group II mice displayed degeneration of tubular epithelium, disruption of spermatogenesis, and a marked reduction in germ cells.


RESULTS
When cardamom was given, damage was less with fewer distorted cells and also improvement with normal tubules and spermatid differentiation in Group III. Ultrastructurally, pan masala-treated testes showed cytoplasmic vacuolation, shrinkage and pyknotic nuclei of spermatogonia, and abnormal acrosomal granules.


CONCLUSIONS
When cardamom was given, the amelioration process was more evident showing a comparable morphology with control.
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi-834008, India. Electronic address: sweety25j@gmail.com.
Sweety
S
Kumari
University Department of Zoology, Ranchi University, Ranchi-834008, India.
Abhijit
A
Dutta
D000818:Animals; D001114:Areca / Q000009:adverse effects*; D028523:Elettaria; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000187:drug effects
D010936:Plant Extracts
Elettaria cardamomum; Histology; Pan masala; Testes; Ultrastructure