Interventions of aqueous extract of Solanum melongena fruits (garden eggs) on mercury chloride induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Solanum melongena (SM) is commonly known as the garden egg fruit or eggplant. It can be eaten fresh or cooked and has a large history of consumption in West Africa. This study focused on interventions of aqueous extract of SM (garden eggs) fruits on Mercury chloride (HgCl2) induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (A-D) of eight (n = 8) rats each. Group A Served as control and was given 10 ml/kg/day of distilled water, Group B- 500 mg/kg B.W of SM, Group C received 40 mg/kg B.W HgCl2 and Group D- 500 mg/kg B.W of SM and 40 mg/kg B.W HgCl2). The administration was done by gastric gavage once a day, for twenty-eight consecutive days. Testicular weight, semen analysis revealing the sperm count and sperm motility were assessed, gross parameters of the testis and testicular histology were assessed. Testicular oxidative stress markers viz a viz malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also assessed. RESULTS: assessment of the histological profiles of the testes showed a derangement of the cytoarchitecture and deterioration of sperm quality after HgCl2 administration and a marked improvement was observed after SM administration. Similarly, SM was associated with increased antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH) and decreased MDA in SM + HgCl2 rats. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that S. melongena offers protection against free radical mediated oxidative stress of rats with mercury chloride induced testicular toxicity.

Senecio biafrae defeated Tetracycline-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Adult Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

OBJECTIVE: The current study focused on the pro-fertility potential of Senecio biafrae (Sb) extract and vitamin C in Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with tetracycline-induced infertility. METHODS: A total of 36 male and 36 female adult SD rats were used for this investigation. The male rats randomly assigned to Group A (controls) were given normal saline 2ml/kg. Rats in Groups B, C, D, E, and F were respectively administered [30 mg/kg of body weight (bwt) of tetracycline], [30 mg/kg bwt of tetracycline + 50 mg/kg of vitamin C], [30 mg/kg bwt of tetracycline + 500 mg/kg bwt of Sb], [30 mg/kg bwt of tetracycline + 50 mg/kg of vitamin C + 500 mg/kg bwt of Sb], and [30 mg/kg bwt of tetracycline reversal] daily for 28 days via gastric gavage. Tested parameters included sperm parameters, hormonal profile, histology, and fertility test. RESULTS: Significant (p<0.05) increases were seen in sperm quality, hormone profile, organ and body weights of the groups treated with vitamin C, Sb, and tetracycline. There was derangement in sperm quality, hormone profile, and organ and body weight of the animals in group B. Histoarchtecture of the testes showed normal cellular composition in the germinal epithelium with sperm cells in the lumen and normal interstitium in groups A, C, D, and E. Group F showed abnormal spermatogenesis and poor association of spermatogenic cells, however there was depletion in the seminiferous epithelium in the group treated with tetracycline. CONCLUSION: Senecio biafrae defeated the deleterious effects of tetracycline on the male reproductive system of rats treated with the drug.

Histomorphology, Sperm Quality and Hormonal Profile in Adult Male Sprague-Dawley Rats following administration of aqueous crude Extract of Solanum nigrum by gastric gavage.

OBJECTIVE: The present study focused on histomorphology, sperm quality, hormonal profile and hematological parameters in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats following the administration of aqueous crude extract of Solanum nigrum by gastric gavage. METHODS: Fourty healthy male adult (12-14 weeks old) Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-220g were randomly divided into four groups (A,B,C and D) of ten (n=10) rats each. Group A which served as control were given distilled water 2ml/kg b.wt each, daily for 28 days. Group B, C and D rats were administered 100, 300 and 500mg/kg b.wt each daily respectively for 28 days. The extract was saved with LD50 >5000mg/Kg. Sperm counts, percentage motility, morphology and percentage live sperm, hormonal profile and hematological parameter were quantified; testis, epididymal and general body weights were measured using a weighing scale. The extract was administered once daily for six days within a week via oral gavage. After the last administration, all rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the testis were harvested and fixed in Bouin's fluid for histology processing. RESULTS: Our results revealed an increase in sperm counts, percentage of motility, morphology and percentage of live sperm, blood level of follicle stimulating hormone, Luteinizing hormone and testosterone, hematological parameters, testis, epididymal and general body weights across the groups in a dose-depentant manner. The testis histoarchtecture showed normal cellular composition in their germinal epithelium, with sperm cells in the lumen and a normal interstitium. CONCLUSION: This experiment revealed that aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum bears profertility properties which may be beneficial to those who consume it.

Role of Aqueous Crude Leaf Extract of Senecio Biafrae Combined With Zinc on Testicular Function of Adult Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

Objective: To determine the role of aqueous crude leaf extract of Seneciobiafrae (SB) combined with Zinc (Zn) on Testicular function of Adult Male Sprague dawley Rats. Materials and methods: Twenty-four adult males praguedawley Rats weighing 180-200g, aged 10-12 weeks, were randomized into four groups (A,B,C,D) of six rats each (n = 6) and were given 2mls of distilled water; 500 mg/kg of SB ; 500 mg/kg of SB and 0.5 mg/kg Znsulfate; 500 mg/kg of SB and 1mg/kg of Zn. The administration was done daily via gastric gavage for 28 days. Parameterstested include: testicular histology, sperm parameters, haematological parameters and Testosterone assay. Results: There was observed no significant (p > 0.05) increased in testis, epididymal, seminal vesicle, vas deference and prostate gland weight of animals across the group receiving the Seneciobiafrae extract combine with Zn. Testis and serum testosterone levels, sperm count, percentage of sperm viability and motility was higher in the rats administered a combination of Senecio biafrae extract and Zn compared with controls (p < 0.05). Conversely the percentage of abnormal sperm morphology was decreased (p < 0.05). Histological analysis showed normal spermatogenesis, better association and high density of spermatogenic cells and lumen contains full mature spermatozoa. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Seneciobiafrae combined with Zn, potentially enhance testicular function including steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in male rats.