AIM: 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. CONCLUSION When cardamom was given, the amelioration process was more evident showing a comparable morphology with control.
Animals ; Areca ; adverse effects ; Elettaria ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Testicular Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Tobacco ; adverse effects ; Tobacco, Smokeless ; adverse effects ; Vacuoles ; drug effects