Effect of Thymus vulgaris leaf extract on cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in rats

Remigius Ibe Onoja,Wilson Obidah,Davinson Chuka Anyogu,Emmanuel Uchechukwu Ugwueze,Benjamin Ifechukwu Emesiani,Chinwe Uzoma Chukwudi

doi:10.1186/s42269-021-00583-1

Abstract

BackgroundCadmium (Cd) is a known metallohormone which mimics the action of steroid hormones with adverse effect on testicular function. It is highly toxic and a prevalent environmental contaminant with no conventional antidote. This study investigates the possible ameliorative effects of Thymus vulgaris extract on testicular toxicity induced by Cd in male rats.ResultsThe testicular and epididymal weights, serum concentration of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower in the cadmium-treated group compared to the control. Necrosis of germ cells of the seminiferous tubules was observed in the testicular tissues of the cadmium-treated group. Administration of extract showed mild but non-significant (p ≥ 0.05) protective effect on the cadmium-induced decrease in sex hormones and sperm count as well as oxidative stress and histological changes.ConclusionThymus vulgaris leaf extract had weak ameliorative effect on cadmium-induced testicular injury in rats but with promising antioxidant activity.

Highlights

Cadmium (Cd) is a known metallohormone which mimics the action of steroid hormones with adverse effect on testicular function
There was no significant difference in body weight between the Cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-treated rats and control group
It was observed that CdCl2-treated rats showed a significant decrease in testes and epididymal weights when compared with the control group

Summary

Introduction

Cadmium (Cd) is a known metallohormone which mimics the action of steroid hormones with adverse effect on testicular function. Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic environmental contaminant resulting from industrial activities It is a heavy metal which is broadly utilized in industry but adversely affects animal and human health through occupational exposure, contaminated food and water or smoking (ElDemerdash et al 2004; de Souza et al 2010). This toxic metal enters and accumulates in different organs of the body in animals and man to cause severe tissue damage ranging from cellular degeneration, inflammation to cancers.

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