High dose of standardised extract ofCostus aferleaves potentiates cadmium reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats

Abstract

Protective effects of standardised extract of Costus afer leaves (CAME), an extract with good antioxidants on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats, were investigated in this study. Forty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups and were treated every day regularly for 4 weeks. G1 (control) rats received 1 ml of vehicle treatment. G2 rats were intoxicated with 2.5 mg kg −1 day −1 s.c cadmium chloride for 1 week. G3 and G4 rats were intoxicated with cadmium as in G2 rats and were treated orally with 100 and 200 mg/kg bwt/day of CAME, respectively, for 4 weeks. Group G5 and G6 rats were orally treated with 100 and 200 mg kg −1 day −1 bwt of CAME, respectively, for 4 weeks. Significant changes (p < 0.05) in andrological parameters (sperm count, sperm morphology, serum testosterone and nitric oxide concentration) and testicular antioxidant parameters (reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and activities of catalase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase) caused by Cd toxicity were improved in cadmium-intoxicated rats treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of CAME. Administration of 200 mg/ kg body weight of CAME to cadmium-intoxicated rats potentiated reproductive toxic effects of cadmium. In conclusion, lower dose of CAME is preferred over high dose in treatment of cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in rats. K E Y W O R D Scadmium, Costus afer, reproductive toxicity, testes

Physiological Roles of Red Carrot Methanolic Extract and Vitamin E to Abrogate Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Challenge and Apoptosis in Rat Testes: Involvement of the Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio

“…However, testes weights, but not GSI, were significantly reduced with CdCl 2 treatment (p < 0.05). These results were in harmony with previously addressed findings [ 64 ]. This reduction could be attributed to the negative actions of Cd in the induction of testicular atrophy [ 65 ] and due to the impairment of the blood–testis barrier [ 66 ].…”

Costus afer leaf extract protects against testicle damage caused by cyclosporine A in adult male Wistar rats through an antioxidant mechanism

“…C. afer contains numerous phytochemical active constituents such as steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols and saponins (Chibueze, Kingsley, Okorie, Akuagwu, & Success, 2013; Tchamgoue, Tchokouaha, Tarkang, Kuiate, & Agbor, 2015). Recently, the aqueous leaf extract of C. afer was found to protect against lead‐ and cadmium‐induced testicular toxicity through an antioxidant pathway (Atere & Akinloye, 2019; Ezejiofor & Orisakwe, 2019).…”

Costus afer: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Data in support of Its Medicinal Relevance

“…C. afer, a plant natural agent, was explored in a study to ascertain its potential in protecting against Cd-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. e results reported in by Atere and Akinloye [45] are at variance with what Ezejiofor and Orisakwe also reported when they used lead as the toxic agent [44]. e antioxidant role of C. afer plant extract in these pharmacological activities cannot be overemphasized as there are several published reports to substantiate it [2,7,9,25,40,43].…”