Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effects of ethanolic extract of Polygonum limbatum meism (EEPLM) on the reproductive parameters of male Guinea pigs exposed to cadmium chloride. Thirty-six male guinea pigs were randomly assigned to six treatment groups (with six animals per group). Group 1 (DW) received distilled water orally; group 2 (Cd), negative control, was treated with cadmium chloride at a dose of 26.25 mg/kg body weight (bw); while group 3 (VitC), positive control, was given 26.25 mg of cadmium chloride/kg bw and 100 mg of vitamin C, and groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated, respectively, with EEPLM at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw in addition to cadmium chloride (26.25 mg/kg bw). After 90 days, all animals were sacrificed, and data related to reproduction, toxicity, and oxidative stress were collected. Results revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of serum levels of creatinine, urea, alanine, and aspartate amino transferases in guinea pigs treated with cadmium chloride and EEPLM compared to the negative control group (Cd). The weight of the bulbo-urethral gland was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in animals exposed to cadmium chloride and treated with vitamin C or EEPLM compared to the negative control (Cd). Guinea pigs orally receiving cadmium chloride and EEPLM showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased motility, sperm count, spermatozoa with entire plasma membrane, and percentage of normal spermatozoa with reference to the negative control (Cd). The serum level of testosterone increased insignificantly (p > 0.05) in animals given cadmium and EEPLM compared to the negative control (Cd). Animals co-administered cadmium chloride and EEPLM recorded a significantly (p < 0.05) reduced level of MDA, activities of SOD, and total peroxidases compared to the group that received cadmium chloride (Cd) only. In conclusion, cadmium chloride induced reproductive impairments by generating oxidative stress. However, the administration of EEPLM can mitigate these adverse effects due to its antioxidant properties.
Highlights
Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant commonly considered as the most important toxicant for humans and animals, due to increasing levels in the environment because of industrial and agricultural practices [1]
ethanolic extract of Polygonum limbatum meism (EEPLM) and vitamin C caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the weight of the bulbo-urethral gland in animals exposed to cadmium chloride compared to that of animals exposed exclusively to cadmium chloride
The administration of plant extract whatever the dose led to a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in animals exposed to cadmium compared to animals exposed to cadmium chloride only (Table 2)
Summary
Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant commonly considered as the most important toxicant for humans and animals, due to increasing levels in the environment because of industrial and agricultural practices [1]. It is extremely hazardous to life and has been involved in historic poisoning episodes of human and animal populations. It is a serious lethal occupational and environmental toxicant, known for its high toxicity, which may affect living systems in various ways [2]. Heavy metals such as cadmium generally show their harmful effects through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production or inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities [3]. Cadmium exposure generates reactive oxygen species that affects the male reproductive system and deteriorates spermatogenesis, semen quality, sperm motility, and hormonal synthesis especially [5]
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