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Introduction: Lead (Pb) is an environmental toxic metal that threatens human health. Umbelliferone (UMB) is a coumarin with known medicinal and protective properties against cytotoxicity. This study explored the ameliorative effect of UMB against Pb-induced testicular toxicity in rats, focusing on steroidogenesis, oxidative stress and inflammation. Materials and Methods: Rats received lead acetate (50 mg/kg) and UMB (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) via oral gavage for 4 weeks. Results: Pb-intoxicated rats exhibited testicular tissue injury and decreased serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone. The count, viability, motility and normal morphology of the sperms were decreased accompanied with downregulated steroidogenesis markers in Pbinduced group. UMB prevented testicular injury, increased serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone, upregulated steroidogenesis markers and improved the semen quality. In addition, UMB attenuated oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage, downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and Bax, boosted antioxidant defenses and Bcl-2, and upregulated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in Pb-intoxicated rats. Conclusion: UMB prevents Pb-induced testicular injury by suppressing oxidative damage, inflammation and cell death, and boosting antioxidant defenses, Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and pituitary-gonadal axis. Thus, UMB may represent a protective and cost-effective agent against Pb testicular toxicity, pending further investigations to elucidate other underlying mechanisms.

Oxidative stress a b s t r a c tObjective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective role of pumpkin oil on experimental alcohol e induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and methods: Rats are divided into three groups of 10 animals each. Group one (G1) was the control group is orally given distilled water for 4 weeks. Group two (G2) is given absolute ethyl alcohol (10%) in drinking water for 4 weeks. Group three (G3) alcohole administered rats were pretreated with pumpkin oil (50 mg/kg body weight) three times per week for three weeks and alcohol (10%) three times per week (at the first two weeks of the experiment). Results: Alcohol caused a marked rise in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (gGT) activities. Concerning oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system, the depleted hepatic glutathione content, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase activities of alcoholadministered rats were potentially increased above normal levels as a result of pretreatment with pumpkin oil. However, while elevated lipid peroxidation was noticed in alcohol treated rats, pretreatment with pumpkin oil produced a detectable decrease in lipid peroxidation level. Conclusion: The natural plant components found in pumpkin could improve the liver against alcohol-induced liver toxicity and oxidative stress. However, further clinical studies are required to assess the safety and benefits of pumpkin oil in human beings.

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