Potential ameliorative effects of Ocimum basilicum extract and leaves on testicular toxicity induced by sodium arsenite in male rats

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Nutrition and Food Science Department, Faculty of Home Economics, Al- Azhar University, Tanta, Egypt

Abstract

Arsenite is a major environmental chemical and a known reproductive toxicant that induced the depression of spermatogenesis and androgenesis in males. Arsenic commonly contaminates the environment via insecticides and pesticides and seepage through drinking water. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanolic Ocimum basilicum extract and leaves against testicular toxicity induced by sodium arsenite in male rats. Thirty male albino rats were divided into two main groups: The first main group (5 rats) was kept as (G-) a negative control group. The second main group (25 rats) was injected NaAsO2 (4 mg/kg body weight) in 0.9% NaCl interaperitoneally only twice. After that, the rats were divided into five subgroups as following: subgroup (1): kept as (G+) a positive group. Subgroups (2 & 3) were given ethanolic Ocimum basilicum extract (250 and 500mg/kg bodyweight) and Subgroups (4 & 5) were given powder leaves of Ocimum (equivalent doses) added to the diet for (28 days). At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and biological evaluations were calculated. The weights of the reproductive organs were recorded. Sperm count, motility, p < /span>rogressive motility and normal form were evaluated. Serum sex hormone (luteinizing hormone, LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were analyzed. Antioxidant enzymes were assayed in testicular tissue. Results showed that treatment groups were associated with significant increase in sperm parameters, serum sex hormone, GPX, SOD and CAT. In contrast level of MDA were significantly (p≤0.05) decreased as compared with the positive control group. In Conclusions: ethanolic Ocimum basilicum extract and leaves have a potent effect in the treatment of testicular toxicity caused by sodium arsenite. This effect may be due to the presence of flavonoides and antioxidant properties of Ocimum basilicum which may be useful in the treatment of testicular toxicity caused by arsenite.
 
 
Arsenite is a major environmental chemical and a known reproductive toxicant that induced the depression of spermatogenesis and androgenesis in males. Arsenic commonly contaminates the environment via insecticides and pesticides and seepage through drinking water. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanolic Ocimum basilicum extract and leaves against testicular toxicity induced by sodium arsenite in male rats. Thirty male albino rats were divided into two main groups: The first main group (5 rats) was kept as (G-) a negative control group. The second main group (25 rats) was injected NaAsO2 (4 mg/kg body weight) in 0.9% NaCl interaperitoneally only twice. After that, the rats were divided into five subgroups as following: subgroup (1): kept as (G+) a positive group. Subgroups (2 & 3) were given ethanolic Ocimum basilicum extract (250 and 500mg/kg bodyweight) and Subgroups (4 & 5) were given powder leaves of Ocimum (equivalent doses) added to the diet for (28 days). At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and biological evaluations were calculated. The weights of the reproductive organs were recorded. Sperm count, motility, p < /span>rogressive motility and normal form were evaluated. Serum sex hormone (luteinizing hormone, LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were analyzed. Antioxidant enzymes were assayed in testicular tissue. Results showed that treatment groups were associated with significant increase in sperm parameters, serum sex hormone, GPX, SOD and CAT. In contrast level of MDA were significantly (p≤0.05) decreased as compared with the positive control group. In Conclusions: ethanolic Ocimum basilicum extract and leaves have a potent effect in the treatment of testicular toxicity caused by sodium arsenite. This effect may be due to the presence of flavonoides and antioxidant properties of Ocimum basilicum which may be useful in the treatment of testicular toxicity caused by arsenite.
 
 

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