Aqueous extract of Pedalium murex D. Royen ex L. leafy stem protects against lead induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats

Objectives Lead exposure seriously impairs male reproductive function. The protective capacity of Pedalium murex leafy stem and fruit aqueous extracts against lead testicular toxicity is evaluated to find herbals drugs able to improve semen quality. Methods Phytochemical screening were performed according to classical methods. Twenty four male rats were divided into four groups of six rats each and received the following treatments via oral route: distilled water; 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water; 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water with 400 mg/kg P. murex aqueous leafy stem extract; 0.2% leaded water with 400 mg/kg P. murex aqueous fruit extract. Treatments were administered for 70 days. Body and reproductive organs weights, sperm parameters and testicular histological sections of each group were examined. Results Flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, alkaloids, and lignans were found in both extracts. Lead intoxication reduced sperm motility and count but increased the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperms. The germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules histoarchitecture was disorganized by lead. The leafy stem extract was effective in reducing lead induced testicular disruption whereas fruit has not shown any beneficial effect. Conclusions P. murex leafy stem aqueous extract is effective against semen alterations caused by lead.

Effect of salicylidene salicylhydrazide on testes of albino mice: A histomorphological study.

Objectives: To evaluate salicylidene salicylhydrazide (SCS) for any possible toxicological effects on male reproductive system in Albino male BALB/c mice. Study Design: Experimental study. Study Setting: Department of Histopathology, Khyber Medical College Peshawar and Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar were utilized for conducting this study. Period: July, 2020 to December, 2020. Material & Methods: Male BALB/c mice were daily administered with SCS at 5, 25, and 50 mg/kg for 7 and 14 days. The body and testes weights were measured and the testes were subjected to histological tissue processing techniques. Results: The extent of testicular toxicity was evaluated by using modified Johnsen scoring system for assessing the level of spermatogenesis, and morphometric analysis by measuring the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, thickness of germinal epithelium, and area of interstitial cells of Leydig. The body and testes weights showed that the various doses of SCS have no substantial effects after 7 and 14 days. The tested doses of SCS did not produce any distinguishable change in the normal histological features of seminiferous tubules and interstitium after 7 days. However, after 14 days, the 50 mg/kg dose of SCS was associated with vacuolization and loosening of germinal epithelium. These mild-to-moderate histopathological aberrations was confirmed from morphometric analysis in this dose group in which a decrease in the seminiferous tubules’ diameter and reduction in the thickness of germinal epithelium along with an increase in the interstitial area were observed. Conclusion: These findings concluded that SCS is considered to be relatively safe.