Androgenic Effects of Cinnamomum camphora in Male Sprague-dawley Rats

This study evaluated camphora-induced androgenic and histopathological changes in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty-five animals weighing 200 g±20 g were used for this study and randomly divided equally into five groups, with seven rats in each group. Group A animals (normal control group) were served water and rat chow only; Groups B-D (treatment groups) were orally administered camphora in doses of 1 g/kg (Low-dose), 2 g/kg (Medium-dose) and 4 g/kg (High-dose) respectively while Group E (vehicle group) were orally administered 6 mL/kg olive oil (a solvent for camphora) per day for 56 days. There was a significant decrease (P< .05) in activity levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH); Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) when the treatment was compared with the control group. Also, a significant decrease (P< .05) in activity level of FSH was observed when the Medium-dose group was compared with Low-dose group. Insignificant irregular pattern in activity level of Testosterone was observed across the treatment groups when compared with the control. However, a significant increase (P< .05) in activity level of Testosterone was observed when the High-dose group was compared with the Medium-dose group. There was a significant increase (P< .05) in activity levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) when the treatment was compared with the control group. Semen analysis showed reduction in sperm concentration, motility and morphology with increasing concentration of camphora. Significant decrease was recorded in testicular weight when High-dose group was compared to Control and Low-dose groups. Histopathological changes were seen in the testes of the camphor administered groups, ranging from mild disintegrated interstitial tissues in Low-dose to severe degeneration and disintegration of both seminiferous and interstitial tissues in the testes in the Medium-dose and High-dose groups. In conclusion, camphora had androgenic and toxic effects on testis and may cause testicular tissue damage.