Transmission Electron Microscope Unit, Research Centre, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
C R Biol. 2013 Aug;336(8):392-9. doi: 10.1016/j.crvi.2013.04.004. Epub 2013 Aug 9.
Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii, known as Arabian incense, diffuses smoke, contaminating the air, which adversely affects human health. Therefore, this study was designed to ascertain the effect of these plants on histopathological and ultrastructure changes in cauda epididymis of Albino rats. Animals were exposed to 4 g/kg body weight of B. papyrifera and B. carterii daily for 120 days along with suitable controls. Our study indicates a significant reduction in epithelial heights. Cells showed signs of degeneration. The ultrastructural study revealed that the cauda epididymis was affected, including its cell types. Furthermore, a decrease in the size of mitochondria, Golgi complex, and both ERs was observed. In all treated groups, plasma fructose decreased considerably, indicating the sign of reduced energy, vital for motility and other sperm functions. The results of this study suggest that these plants systematically affect cauda epididymal cell types and its lumen through its potential toxicity.
乳香树和卡氏乳香树，俗称阿拉伯乳香，其散发的烟雾会污染空气，对人类健康造成不良影响。因此，本研究旨在确定这些植物对大白鼠附睪尾组织的组织病理学和超微结构变化的影响。动物每日暴露于 4 克/千克体重的乳香树和卡氏乳香树中，持续 120 天，并设置合适的对照组。我们的研究表明，上皮细胞高度显著降低。细胞显示出退化的迹象。超微结构研究显示，附睪尾组织及其细胞类型受到影响。此外，观察到线粒体、高尔基复合体和内质网的大小都减小了。在所有治疗组中，血浆果糖显著减少，表明能量减少的迹象，这对运动和其他精子功能是至关重要的。本研究结果表明，这些植物通过其潜在的毒性，系统性地影响附睪尾的细胞类型及其管腔。
