P-54: Toxic effect of Carthamus Tinctorius L.(Safflower) Extract in the Mouse Testis

Background: Natural products of plant origin are still a major part of traditional medicinal systems in many countries. Carthamus tinctorius L. (CT), also named safflower, is one of the popular herbs traditionally consumed raw amongst people in Iran. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of CT on the mouse testis. Materials and Methods: Experimental group received CT extract at the dose of 40 mg/kg for 25 consecutive days and control group received only distilled water. Statistical significance was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)followedby Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison tests. A p<0.05 denoted the presence of a statistically significant difference. Results: Testicular histopathology, morphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry assessments were performed for evaluation of the CT effects on testis. There was a significant reduction for bcl-2, an important anti-apoptotic factor, expression with CT treatment (p<0.01). Histopathological criteria such as epithelial vacuolization, sloughing of germ and detachment were significantly decreased in CT treated mice (p<0.01). Moephometric assessments showed that seminiferous epithelium height and seminiferous tubule diameter were markedly reduced in CT group (p<0.01). There was a significant reduction in Johnsen&#039;s scoreing with CT treatment (p<0.01). Conclusion: It is concluded that, CT may have adverse effects in male fertility.