Curative Effects of Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) Aqueous Extract on Reproductive Parameters and Oxidative Stress Markers in Female Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) Exposed to Lead

Abstract

Some medicinal plants with antioxidant properties have protective effects on reproductive parameters and neutralize the harmful effects of hazardous. Spirulina possesses high concentration of nutrients responsible of their biological activities and nutritional properties. The present study aimed at assessing the protective effect of aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis (AESP) in alleviating the lead-induced impairment of reproductive function in female guinea pig. For this purpose, Sixty (60) sexually mature females were divided into six groups of ten (10) animals each. The first batch served as neutral control, receiving distilled water, the second as negative control, receiving lead acetate at a dose of 12 mg/kg body weight (bw) while the third set, the positive control, was given 12 mg of lead acetate/kg bw and 100 mg of vitamin C; the groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with 12 mg/kg bw of lead acetate and thereafter received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw of AESP respectively. Lead acetate was administered for 30 days and then after the curative substances were given for 60 days. All the administrations were done through oral route. The reproductive and biochemical parameters were studied. Results revealed that lead acetate induced significant (p<0.05) decrease in final body weight, sex organs weight, concentrations of Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and estradiol. Lead acetate also lead to an increase in malondiadehyde concentration and to a drop in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The post exposure treatment of female guinea pig with AESP improved the harmful effects of Lead acetate. Therefore, the AESP can be promising as a natural therapeutic agent in Lead-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress in female guinea pig.