Abstract
Background: Medicinal plants are a reservoir of biologically active compounds with therapeutic properties that, over time, have been used for the treatment of various diseases. This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Salvia officinalis against cypermethrin-induced toxicity. Methods: 30 male rats weighing approximately 240 g were divided into equal six groups; the control group received tap water, the positive control received the aqueous extract of sage leaves (SLE) at a dose of (0.5g/kg bw), the groups treated with cypermethrin (Cyp1) at 8.33 mg/kg bw and (Cyp2) at 25 mg/kg bw, and the groups treated by cypermethrin combined with aqueous extract of sage SLE+Cyp1 (0.5g/kg bw+8.33 mg/kg bw) and SLE+Cyp2 (0.5g/kg bw+25 mg/kg bw) for four days/week. After 4 weeks of oral administration, epididymal seminal fluid was analyzed via the CASA system, in addition to the histological study testis and epididymis. Results: The obtained results showed a decrease in the absolute weight of the reproductive organs, with a significant decrease in sperm concentration, motility and speed in the cypermethrin-treated group compared to the control. Histological study of the testes and epididymis indicates an alteration in the stages of spermatogenesis in groups Cyp1 and Cyp2 compared to the control. However, the above-mentioned parameters were maintained almost normal in the groups that received the aqueous extract of sage with both doses of cypermethrin. Conclusion: it can be demonstrated that SLE has been shown to protect rats from cypermethrin-induced reprotoxicity.
Highlights
Pesticides are toxic chemicals that are deliberately introduced into the environment to kill off pests as well as rodents, fungi, insects, and weeds[1]
Rats treated with the combination of sage aqueous extract and cypermethrin revealed a significant increase in sperm motility compared to rats treated with cypermethrin alone
These results correlate well with those of 28,29.There were several studies indicating that xenobiotics directly influence Sertoli cells function, spermatogenesis impairment and epithelial disorganization which may cause tubular atrophy 30.,the decrease in testis weight may be caused by regressive and necrotic changes with germ cells number reduction induced by cypermethrin in the seminiferous tubules 29,31.The changes in epididymis weight could due to thealteration of tubules epithelial cells and reduction of sperm count in the epididymis lumen In addition, the decrease in organs weight might be to the oxidative stress induced by cypermethrin, leading to spermatogenic cells necrosis associated with sperm abnormalities
Summary
Pesticides are toxic chemicals that are deliberately introduced into the environment to kill off pests as well as rodents, fungi, insects, and weeds[1]. Recent studies have shown that expose to cypermethrin may cause serious health impairments for humans and animals, including, nervous, immune, endocrine, hematology, cardiovascular, respiration, and reproductive system 5. The reports of reproductive toxicity of cypermethrin has affected spermatogenesis leading to poor semen quality and reduced male fertility[6]. Other studies indicated that treatment of rabbit with cypermethrin caused a decrease in sperm concentration, sperm motility, and an increase in the number of abnormal and dead spermatozoa 7. This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Salvia officinalis against cypermethrin-induced toxicity. Histological study of the testes and epididymis indicates an alteration in the stages of spermatogenesis in groups Cyp[1] and Cyp[2] compared to the control.
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