Abstract
The study evaluated the protective effect of Costus afer on low-dose heavy metal mixture (LDHMM)-mediated effects in the testis of albino rats. The weight-matched animals were divided into six groups: normal control, metal mixture of (PbCl2 +CdCl2 + HgCl2 ), combination of metal mixture+Costus afer at 750mg/kg, combination of metal mixture+Costus afer at 1,500mg/kg, combination of metal mixture+Costus afer at 2,250mg/kg and combination of metal mixture + (ZnCl2 ). LDHMM reduced (p<.05) the antioxidant biomarkers (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; and glutathione, GSH) and increased (p<.05) the lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde, MDA) and lead, cadmium and mercury concentrations in the testis. Treatment with LDHMM increased (p<.05) abnormal sperm morphology and plasma prolactin (PRL) level and decreased epididymal sperm count, viability, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and testosterone. LDHMM exposure caused deleterious changes in the testis. Treatment of rats with Costus afer (750, 1,500 and 2,250mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced (p<.05) the LDHMM-mediated toxicity. Treatment with Costus afer also reversed the testicular weight and LDHMM decrease in antioxidant biomarkers. Costus afer may be a defensive modulator of LDHMM-mediated testicular lesions.
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