COMPARATIVE RADIOPATHOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS IN SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS ADMINISTERED WITH Curcuma longa AND Ocimum sanctum AGAINST ACUTE GAMMA IRRADIATION

Objective The study was designed to evaluate the deleterious e□ects of acute lethal gamma irradiation on male reproductive organs of Sprague Dawley rats and the radioprotective potential by Curcuma longa and Ocimum sanctum in experimental set up. Methods 25 Male Spraque Dawley rats were taken and randomized into 5 groups (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5). Each group containing 5 animals. The groups were named as Group T1 (Negative Control), Group T2 (irradiation positive control), Group T3 (irradiation and Curcuma longa), Group T4 (irradiation and Ocimum sanctum), Group T5 (irradiation, Curcuma longa and Ocimum sanctum). The rats in groups T1 and T2 were given a daily dosage of normal saline for 14 days. Group T3 and T4 rats received aqueous extracts of Curcuma longa (40 mg/kg) and Ocimum sanctum (40 mg/kg), respectively, whereas group T5 rats received a combination of aqueous extracts of Curcuma longa (40 mg/kg) and Ocimum sanctum (40 mg/kg) for 14 days. prior to gamma irradiation. Animals of group T2, T3, T4, T5 were irradiated with 10 Gy of γ – radiation on 15th day. Results Exposure of animals to 10 Gy gamma radiation resulted in significant decrease in body weight and testicular weight. Histopathological observations revealed testicular degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules with primary spermatocytes being most affected and epididymis showed decreased spermatids density with cell debris in the lumen. Pretreatment with Curcuma longa at 40mg/kg for 14 days alleviated the radiation induced pathological changes in testis and epididymis. Curcuma longa demonstrated much better protective effect in combination with Ocimum sanctum in alleviating the radio pathological changes showing the possibility of synergistic effect. However, administration of Ocimum sanctum alone at 40mg/kg for 14 days did not reveal any significant radioprotective property after histomorphological evaluation. Conclusion Gamma irradiation of 10 Gy induces severe radio pathological damage to organs of male reproductive system of Spraque Dawley rats. Pre-treatment with Curcuma longa prior to radiotherapy may be effective in preventing radiation-induced damage in the male reproductive organs. Better radioprotection can be achieved with the combination of Curcuma longa and Ocimum sanctum than using alone.