Salvia officinalis L. Methanolic Extract Reduces Lead and Nicotine-Induced Sperm Quality Degeneration in Male Rats.

Abstract

The current study is aimed at evaluating the potential health benefits of Salvia officinalis L. (sage)methanol extract on lead and nicotine hydrogen tartrate-induced sperm quality degeneration in male rats and also identifying some of the non-polar volatile bioactive compounds that might be attributed to the bioactivity of S. officinalis extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the study, fifty-four mature male albino rats of about 220 - 250 g [were divided randomly and equally into 9 groups (n=6)]. Sperm quality degeneration was induced through the oral administration of 1.5 g/L of lead acetate in drinking water or peritoneal injection of 0.50 mg/kg (animal weight) nicotine hydrogen tartrate for sixty days. Two doses (200 & 400 mg/kg b.w.) of S. officinalis L. were used. Twelve major compounds were identified. Lead and nicotine toxicity had a great effect on the rats' sperm quality causing a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the quantity of sperm and sperm motility as well as an upsurge in the abnormalities of the sperm and a reduction in the length & diameter of seminiferous tubules and size & weight of sexual organs.The administration of S. officinalis L. methanol extract ameliorates the adversative effects of lead and nicotine.