Ultra-Structural Study on the Effect of Salvadora persica (Miswak) on Testes of Albino Rats

Salvadora persica (Miswak chewing sticks) has been widely used in the traditional medicine, but little is known about its toxic effect especially on the male reproductive organs. The present study aims to investigate the induced effect of watery extract of Salvadora persica on the testicular weight, histochemical and ultra-structural parameters. Adult male albino rats (n=18) were divided equally into group A (control rats) received saline solution and group B (experimental rats) orally administrated with S. persica extract (350 mg/ kg Body Weigh) daily for a month. The administration of S. persica watery extract had no effect on the body weight gain compared to group A, whereas, significant (P < 0.05) reduction was exhibited in the sperm count, diameter of seminiferous tubules, testicular weight and testicular weight per body weight of group B compared to group A. Also, the administration of S. persica induced ultrastructural and histochemical changes including: signs of damage in Sertoli cells, pyknotic nuclei of the germ cells, deformed or misshape spermatozoa and clumps of Leydig cells. The cytoplasm of Leydig cells was filled with abnormal number of steroid secretary granules, RBCs and leucocytes. Significant (P < 0.05) increase in the percentage of collagen fibers exhibited in the seminiferous tubules of rats of group B. The results suggested that Salvadora persica has potential toxic effect in male Albino rats.