Bauhinia forficata is a medicinal plant that has flavonoid components with hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antiviral and anti‐inflammatory action. Aim of this study is to evaluate the action of B. forficata alcoholic extract in the male genital system of adult male Wistar rats. For that, 20 adult male Wistar rats were distributed into two experimental groups: the B. forficata group, receiving B. forficata alcoholic extract (0.1 ml/10 g body weight/day) on alternate days, and the control group, receiving just the vehicle for 30 days straight both via gavage. On the 31st day, the animals were euthanized, and the testis and epididymis were collected for histopathological, biochemical, morphometric, and sperm count analysis. Mass spectrometry identified new compounds in the extract: trans‐caffeic acid, liquiritigenin, gallocatechin, and 2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenanthren‐2‐glycoside. Biochemical analysis showed higher total cholesterol levels in the testis and lower malondialdehyde levels in the testis and epididymis, in the B. forficata group. The mast cell count showed a reduction in degranulated mast cells in the caput region of the epididymis, in the B. forficata group. The luminal compartment of the caput and the epithelial of the epididymis cauda were reduced, whereas the stromal region of the epididymis caput was increased in the B. forficata group, compared with the control group. The testicular tissue was less impaired, considering that all the histological analyses were similar to the control. We believe that B. forficata alcoholic extract in the male genital system showed antioxidant action, especially in the epididymal tissue.

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Flame retardants are a group of compounds used in a variety of consumer goods to inhibit or retard the spread of flames. Several classes of chemical compounds have such capabilities, however, the persistence of these compounds in the environment and their toxicity are crucial points for a risk assessment. Classes such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have already been banned in some parts of the world while they are still permitted and extensively used in other parts of the globe. In the need for substitutes for the toxic compounds used, new structures have been synthesized and suggested by the industry as an alternative and substitutives flame retardants. The objective of this review is to address the classes of compounds used as flame retardants in terms of their toxicity to human or non-human organisms and their persistence in the environment.