HISTOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN THE TESTES OF GAMMA-IRRADIATED MICE INDUCED BY ADHATODA VASICA LEAF EXTRACT

Extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves has been used to treat various diseases and disorders in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. Effect of ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica against gamma radiation-induced changes in terms of histological alterations in testes of Swiss albino mice were studied at post-irradiation intervals between 1-30 days. Mice exposed to 6 Gy gamma radiation showed radiation-induced sickness, including changes in the histology of testes. When ethanolic leaf extract of Adhatoda vasica was given orally at a dose of 900 mg/kg, body weight prior to irradiation showed significant protection. Leaf extract of Adhatoda vasica was also reported for the protective role in the spleen of Swiss albino mice exposed to 6 Gy γ-radiation. Mice were divided into four groups i.e., group (i) containing normal mice served as a control for each experimental stage; group (ii) mice given 900 mg/kg body wt. of Adhatoda vasica extract orally for 15 days; group (iii) mice exposed to gamma radiation (6 Gy) and group (iv) mice given Adhatoda vasica extract orally for 15 days and then exposed to gamma radiation (6 Gy). There was a significantly lesser degree of alterations to extract treated plus irradiated mice testes. However, there was a higher degree of alterations in irradiated testes architecture.