Histological and ultrastructural studies on the toxic effect of pan masala and its amelioration by Elettaria cardamomum

AIM:To investigate the histological and ultrastructural changes observed in pan masala intoxicated mammalian testes under the effect of cardamom.METHOD: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.