Efficiency of Kumquat Fruit (Fortunella margarita) Extract against Hepatotoxicity and Infertility Induced by Gamma Irradiation in Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Ionizing radiation (IR) generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Imbalance between ROS and antioxidants level leads to oxidative stress. Fortunella margarita (F. magarita) fruit contains a lot of bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, ..etc. So it has high radical scavenging capacities and strong antioxidant activity. This study was designed to determine the probable efficiency of F. margarita extract against liver damage and sperm abnormalities induced by γ-radiation in male rats. Thirty six rats were divided into 6 groups (6 rats each): control group, treated groups: 14 days F. margarita group and 28 days F. margarita group, irradiated group (Irr): rats were exposed to 6Gy of whole body γ-radiation, pre-treated (14 days F. margarita extract + Irr) group and pre- and post- treated (28 days F. margarita extract + Irr) group. Biochemical investigations: lipid profile: total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). Liver function enzymes: serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level, hepatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reduced (GSH) levels. Fertility competence: (sperm head, tail and head and tail abnormalities) were recorded. Results obtained revealed the strong efficiency role of F. margarita fruit extract as an antioxidant against hepatotoxicity through enhancement of liver function ( ALT, AST and GGt) , reduce oxidative stress ( MDA, SOD and GSH), and powerful recovering of sperm abnormalities induced by γ-irradiation also it shows adjusting and normalize (TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C and TG).