Objectives Lead exposure seriously impairs male reproductive function. The protective capacity of Pedalium murex leafy stem and fruit aqueous extracts against lead testicular toxicity is evaluated to find herbals drugs able to improve semen quality. Methods Phytochemical screening were performed according to classical methods. Twenty four male rats were divided into four groups of six rats each and received the following treatments via oral route: distilled water; 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water; 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water with 400 mg/kg P. murex aqueous leafy stem extract; 0.2% leaded water with 400 mg/kg P. murex aqueous fruit extract. Treatments were administered for 70 days. Body and reproductive organs weights, sperm parameters and testicular histological sections of each group were examined. Results Flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, alkaloids, and lignans were found in both extracts. Lead intoxication reduced sperm motility and count but increased the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperms. The germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules histoarchitecture was disorganized by lead. The leafy stem extract was effective in reducing lead induced testicular disruption whereas fruit has not shown any beneficial effect. Conclusions P. murex leafy stem aqueous extract is effective against semen alterations caused by lead.
Aims: The leafy stem and fruit of P.murex have been reported to be used in folk medicine to treat male reproductive system ailments. This study was undertaken to assess the antioxidant potential of the aqueous extracts of P.murex leafy stem and fruit. Methodology: Extracts were prepared by macerating the powder in water. Total phenolics amount were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, flavonoids were quantified by aluminum chloride method and total tannin content was estimated by hexacyanoferric method. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the extracts were assessed through 2,2´-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, reducing power assay, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inhibition assay and lipid peroxidation assay. Results: Total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins content were respectively equal to 48.91± 1.67 µg/mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE); 56.01± 0.90 µg/mg Rutin Equivalents (RUE); 16.92± 1.22 µg/mg Tannic Acid Equivalents (TAE) for the leafy stem extract while they were equal to 26.26± 0.54 µg/mg GAE; 47.88± 2.39 µg/mg RUE; 7.94± 0.31 µg/mg TAE for the fruit. The leafy stem extract exhibited a more pronounced DPPH scavenging activity, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation activity than the fruit extract. Conclusion: The antioxidant activity of the leafy stem aqueous extract was significantly more potent than that of the fruit extract. Further studies will find out the extracts pharmacological efficacy and innocuity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.