Amelioration of cadmium chloride testicular toxicity by Plukenetia conophora aqueous leaves extract in Wistar rats

Abstract

Cadmium accumulates in different organ and tissues of the body including the testes, impeding normal metabolism. This study aims at evaluating the effect of Plukenetia conophora leaves extract on testicular function indices of cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-administered Wistar rats. A total of 25 Wistar rats (100-120g) were randomly divided into 5 groups (A-E) and received orally, once daily for 21 d as follows: A (distilled water); B (6.5 mg/kg body weight of CdCl2; C (CdCl2 + 150 mg/kg body weight of extract); D (CdCl2 + 300 mg/kg body weight extract); and E (CdCl2 + 600 mg/kg body weight extract). The rats were sacrificed on day 22, serum and tissue homogenates were collected for differen biochemical assays. Analysis of data was done using ANOVA and mean value differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. CdCl2 administration resulted in decreased concentrations of testicular protein, glycogen, sialic acid, serum testosterone, glutathione S-transferase and acid phosphatase activities compared to the control. Catalase CAT and superoxide dismutase SOD activities, malondialdehyde MDA concentration also increased compared with the control. However, co-administration with aqueous leaves extract of Plukenetia conophora resulted in restoration of the enzyme activities, glycogen, protein, sialic acid and serum testosterone concentration compared with control. Plukenetia conophora aqueous leaves extract attenuated the toxic effect of CdCl2 on Wistar rats’ testis