Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Erythrina senegalensis Attenuates Diclofenac Sodium-Induced Testicular and Epididymal Perturbation in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that diclofenac sodium (DFS) administration could result in male reproductive dysfunction. Erythrina senegalensis (ES) is a potent medicinal plant with antioxidants that may significantly impact cellular redox homeostasis, including male reproduction. Therefore, the study investigated the attenuative effects of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Erythrina senegalensis (HLEES) in DFS-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity in male albino rats. Thirty male Wistar rats of 5 rats per group were used in this study and were randomly divided into 6 groups (A–F) and treated for 21 days. Rats in group A (control group) received distilled water orally; Group B was given DFS at 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (IP). Group C and D were given HLEES at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight orally respectively. Groups E and F were given DFS at 10 mg/kg + HLEES at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. Spermatological profiles and testicular histopathology were assessed. DFS-treated rats showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in relative organ weight and sperm parameters. Also, DFS treatment increased the percentage of sperm abnormalities relative to the control, and the groups administered HLEES only. Co-administration of HLEES with DFS improved the spermatological parameters and ease some effects of DFS on the reproductive and accessory organs mentioned above. HLEES was also seen to play a beneficial role in the histopathological effects of DFS on the testicular tissues. The current findings have shown that this evaluated plant extract may have ameliorative effects on DFS-induced testicular and epididymal injuries in rats.