Abstract
Camphor is prescribed in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases and skin care products. The present study aims at finding out the effects of Camphor on the endometrium structures of Sprague-Dawley female Rats. 40 animals (3 months old) were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 10), 3 experimental groups were given daily intraperitoneal injection of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg of Camphor watery solution and the control group was given distilled water. All groups were kept in the same environmental conditions. At the end of 6 weeks, all rats were killed and their uteri were removed for histological analysis. Comparing with the control group, an increase in the body and reproductive system weight, less uterine glands, degeneration of luminal epithelium and enlargement of uterus lumen were recorded. All the treated groups showed an increase in estrogen concentration. Furthermore, the highest dose caused an increase in progesterone concentration. The present study showed that Camphor could alter both hormonal and structural aspect of uterus that ultimately reflected on fertility of exposed animals. [Fatma Al-Qudsi and Sabah Linjawi. Histological and Hormonal Changes in Rat Endometrium under the Effect of Camphor. Life Science Journal 2012; 9(2):348-355]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 55