Role of ginseng on mercury chloride-induced testicular lesions in adult albino rat: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Mercury is a toxic metal causing various adverse neurological, developmental, and reproductive disorders. Mercury exposure occurs through contaminated water and food. Ginseng [herbal medicine] can improve male fertility by acting directly on the pituitary gland and central nervous system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Ginseng on mercury chloride-induced testicular toxicity in adult albino rats. Thirty-two adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight rats each: group I [the Control group]: the animals in this group received 1.5 ml of distilled water; group II [the Ginseng group]: the animals in this group received 100 mg/kg body weight of Ginseng; group III [the Mercury Chloride group]: the animals in this group received mercury chloride at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg/day. Group IV [the Ginseng and Mercury Chloride group]: the animals in this group received both Ginseng and mercury chloride at the same dose and route of administration as the previous group. The testes were removed and fixed. Paraffin sections were prepared and stained with H and E and Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining was performed for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Morphometric study was conducted and results were statistically analyzed. The study showed significant increase in body weight in group II and decrease in body weight in groups III and IV compared with the Control group. The gonadal index of group III showed significant decrease compared with both the Control group and group II. H and E sections of group III showed loosely packed vacuolated seminiferous tubules. Some germ cells showed a hyperchromatic nucleus, whereas others showed chromatolysis. Absence of mature sperms was noticed. Some tubules showed massive loss of germ cells. In the treated group [group IV] germ cells regained more or less a normal appearance. Ginseng can ameliorate the toxic changes of mercury chloride on the rat testis

effects of ultraviolet B [UV-B] radiation on the lens in albino rats in different ages and times of exposure

To investigate the effects of UVB radiation on the crystalline lens of the rat lens. 100 Sprague-Dawely rats were divided in 4 groups with different ages [3, 6, 10 and 18 weeks] and control one [20 rats in each group]. Exposed 4 groups were irradiated to UVB with wave length 300nm and intensity of 8kj/m2. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups [A and B] according to the time of exposure [15 and 30 minutes]. The control group [C] was divided into 5 rats for each group. One week after exposure, both lenses were removed for morphological changes and for histopathology. Groups were compared by evaluating the difference between exposed and non-exposed lenses. Early cortical cataract [vacuoles] was not detected in all [B] groups, and appeared in all [A] groups As except E4 group. Cortical cataract appeared in both exposed groups and the increased with age. Equatorial cataract was detected in all ages and the incidence increased in rats of [A] groups. Sutural cataract was more in young groups and the incidence increased with time of exposure to UV-B it was not detected in E4 group. Early nuclear and nuclear cataract was more in young ages and increased time of exposure. UV-B has powerful effects on the rat lens and development of different types of cataract, which differs according to the age and time of exposure. The more exposure to UV-B the more the cataract develops