EFFECTS OF CANNABIS SATIVA EXTRACT AND ITS COMBINATION WITH VITAMIN-C ADMINISTRATION ON HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE TESTICULAR TISSUE OF MALE MICE

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To observe morphological changes in testicular tissue of adult male BALB/c mice after administration of Cannabis sativa extract and to investigate the protective role of vitamin-C against cannabis-induced histopathological changes. METHODS: Eighteen BALB/c mice (31-40g) were divided into 3 groups. Group-I was control group, Group-II received oral cannabis extract (14mg/kg) and Group-III received cannabis extract (14mg/kg) orally along with vitamin-C (100 mg/kg) for 45 days. At the end of experiment, variations in body weight, testicular weight and histological changes in testicular tissues of mice were observed. RESULTS: Average increase in weight was 7.000±0.77gm, 4.833±0.87gm & 5.833±0.79gm in group-I, group-II and group-III respectively. Weight reduction in right and left testis was 42.30±0.465mg and 42.45±0.424mg in group-I, 38.85±0.523 mg and 39.35±0.520 mg in group-II, and 42.38±0.465 mg and 42.23±0.424 mg in group-III animals respectively (p<0.01). Mean seminiferours epithelium thickness was 4.367±0.302 µm in group-II, 5.683±0.104 µm and 6.417±0.116 µm in Group-I and group-III respectively (p<0.001). Average germ cells count (cells/tubule) in group-II was reduced (256.25±6.58) as compared to group-I (373.50±4.063) and group-III (366.25±3.442). Histological changes observed after the treatment were height of germinal epithelium, basal lamina disruption, seminiferous tubules shrinkage, scanty cytoplasm with shrunken nuclei and germinal epithelium detachment from basal lamina in group-II animals as compared to group-I and group-III. CONCLUSION: The cannabis administration significantly declines the weight, size of testes, germ cells count and the height of seminiferours epithelium in animals. Vitamin-C had a protective role on cannabis induced toxic changes in the testes of the mice.