Aqueous Extract of Allium sativum (Linn.) Bulbs Ameliorated Pituitary-Testicular Injury and Dysfunction in Wistar Rats with Pb-Induced Reproductive Disturbances

Abstract

AIM:To determine the effects of aqueous extract of Allium sativum bulbs (AEASAB) on pituitary-testicular injury and dysfunction in Wistar rats with lead-induced reproductive disturbances.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups such that the control group received propylene glycol at 0.2 ml/100 g intraperitoneally for 10 consecutive days, the toxic group received lead (Pb) alone at 15 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal route for 10 days while the treatment groups were pretreated with lead as the toxic group after which they received graded doses of the extract at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day via oral route for 28 days.RESULTS:Pb administration induced significant deleterious alterations in the antioxidant status of the brain and testis, sperm characterization (counts, motility and viability) as well as reproductive hormones (FSH, LH and testosterone) of exposed rats (p < 0.05). These were significantly reversed in the AEASAB-treated groups (p < 0.05). Also, there was marked improvement in the Pb-induced vascular congestion and cellular loss in the pituitary while the observed Pb-induced severe testicular vacuolation was significantly reversed in the representative photomicrographs, following administration of the extract.CONCLUSION:AEASAB treatment ameliorated the pituitary-testicular injury and dysfunction in Wistar rats with Pb-Induced reproductive disturbances.

Curcuma longa normalized cimetidine‐induced pituitary‐testicular dysfunction: Relevance in nutraceutical therapy

“…Assessment of weekly weight change was carried out using a Hanson digital weighing scale (Hanson, China), while organ weights were determined using a Camry sensitive weighing balance (Camry, China). Thereafter, percentage weight change, relative brain weight and relative testicular weight were calculated using the formulae below :…”

Aqueous garlic extract improves renal clearance via vasodilatory/antioxidant mechanisms and mitigated proteinuria via stabilization of glomerular filtration barrier

“…Pb has found its relevance in several industrial processes such as in the production of paints, automobiles, water pipes, ceramics as well as electric storage batteries [9,11]. Nevertheless, it is a non-biodegradable toxicant which when absorbed into the body (either by inhalation or ingestion) has an estimated biological half-life of about 10 years, thus enhancing bioaccumulation [10,12].…”

“…Acting through disturbance of the antioxidant system, Pb-induced oxidative stress is known to occur via any of the following two pathways in order to cause toxic effects; generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of antioxidant reserves through the generation of ROS [13,14]. According to literature, Pb toxicity is associated with deleterious biological effects including hemopoietic [15], nervous [12], reproductive [9], cardiovascular [16], gastrointestinal [10], hepatic [17] and kidney [18,19] dysfunctions. Since the basic mechanism of Pb-induced toxicity is disruption of the antioxidant system, therapeutic interventions are usually geared towards application of chelating agents namely dimercaprol (BAL), Calcium Disodium EDTA (CaNa2EDTA) and succimer (2, 3-meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid or DMSA).…”

“…Since the basic mechanism of Pb-induced toxicity is disruption of the antioxidant system, therapeutic interventions are usually geared towards application of chelating agents namely dimercaprol (BAL), Calcium Disodium EDTA (CaNa2EDTA) and succimer (2, 3-meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid or DMSA). These chelating agents are expensive, not readily available and sometimes burdened with undesirable side effects [9,20]. This study aimed at exploring the therapeutic potential of a local (easily accessible) medicinal plant in an experimental model of Pb-induced kidney injury.…”

“…Garlic (Allium sativum) is a common and readily accessible plant that is cultivated both sexually and asexually [24]. It is a nutritional plant that is used as spice in food and has vast medicinal properties [8,9]. Some of its pharmacological activities namely anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic and anti-thrombotic effects have been experimentally demonstrated in conditions such as prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, reproductive toxicity and kidney injury [8,9,25].…”