ABSTRACT
The study was carried
out to assess the effect of oral administration of Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg)
on the histology of the testis as well as its effects on hormonal profile
(serum testosterone). Thirty (30) adult male albino Wistar rats were used for
this study. The animals were randomly divided into six groups of (A – F), with
each group containing five rats respectively. Group A (control group) received
distilled water and 100 g of feed per day for 26 days, group B received 1 g/kg
body weight/day of nutmeg mixed with 100 g of feed for 26 days, group C
received 5 g/kg body weight of nutmeg per day mixed with 100 g of feed for 26
days, group D received 10 g/kg body weight of nutmeg per day mixed with 100 g
of feed for 26 days, group E received 15 g/to 20 g/kg body weight of nutmeg per
day mixed with 100 g of feed for 26 days, group F received 20 g/kg body weight
of nutmeg per day mixed with 100 g of feed for 26 days. The experiment lasted
for 26 days. The rats were weighed before and after the experiment. On the 26th
day, the rats were sacrificed via chloroform inhalation and the testes
harvested and fixed immediately in 10 % buffered formalin, processed and
stained with Harris hematoxylin and
eosin (H&E) staining method. Blood samples were collected by cardiac
puncture in ETDA bottle and plain bottles for analysis of serum testosterone.
Data were expressed as Mean + standard error of the Mean (Mean + SEM) and
subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significance different
between mean was assessed by student-New-Man-Keuls post hoc test. 95 % level of
significance (p < 0.05) was used for statistical analysis and Microsoft
Excel 2010 package was used for graph and error bars. The result of this
experiment revealed persistent elevation in serum testosterone level in group
(B – F) test groups as compared to the control (Group A). Decrease hepatic
clearance of testosterone may be responsible for the increase level of
testosterone in the blood. Histological findings from this study revealed that
10 g/kg body weight of nutmeg/day – 20 g/kg body weight of nutmeg orally
administered to male albino Wistar rats have severe toxic effects on the
histology of the testis. This effect include cellular necrosis and degeneration
of spermatogenic, fibroblast and myoid cells. There is also severe degeneration
of the basement membrane of the testes. These results revealed that consumption
of higher dose of nutmeg have cellular toxic effect on the testes and hence
caution should be applied on the intake of the spice nutmeg.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Myristica fragrans
(of the family of Myristica ceae), is a plant which bears seeds, and the seeds
are ground into powder and commonly referred to as Nutmeg. The Nutmeg plant,
myristica fragrans Houtt, is a member of the small family called myristicaceace,
taxanonomically placed between the Annonaceae and Lauraceae (Joseph,
1980). Dried nutmeg is grayish brown
ovals with furrowed surface (Brierley, 1994). At present, myristicaceae is
considered as a member of Magnotiales or its taxonomical equivalent (Conquist,1983).The
tree which bears these seeds grows up to 10 – 20 m tall and is indigenous to
India, Indonesia, and srilanka. (Hayfaa et al., 2013).
Nutmeg is widely
accepted as a flavouring agent. Nutmeg and its oleoresin are used in the
preparation of meat products, sauces, baked foods, confectionaries, puddings,
seasoning of meat and vegetables, to flavor milk dishes and punches.
Medicinally nutmeg is known to be stimulants and has carminative properties
(Lagouri et al., 1995). In pregnancy and lactation, traditionally nutmeg has
been used as an abortificient; though this has largely been discounted, but
remains a persistent cause of nutmeg intoxication in women (De Milto et al.,
2005).
The active ingredient
in nutmeg is called myristicine. Cytotoxic and apotoxic effects of myristicine
have been reported such that cell viability was reduced by exposure to
myristicine in a dose dependent manner (Lee et al., 2005).
The testis – also
called testicles are two oval-shaped organs in the male reproductive system.
They are contained in sac of skin called the scrotum.
Structures within the
tests are important for the production and storage of sperm until they are
mature enough for ejaculation. The testis also produce a hormone called
testosterone which is responsible for sex drive, fertility and development of
muscle and bone mass. The blood testis barrier also helps to prevent some
substances that may be considered injurious or toxic from destroying the
parenchyma of the testis. It would
therefore be worthwhile to examine the effects of oral administration of nutmeg
on the histology of the testis, as well as its effects on hormone
(Testosterone) thereby corroborating previous works done by other researchers
(Olaleye et al., 2006), or disproving the toxic effects of nutmeg in this organ
with the view of advising the consumers on the inherent dangers of excessive
consumption of the spice.