The mitigating effect of Ananas comosus on aluminum-induced oxidative stress on the testes of adult male Wistar rats

Abstract

Background The mitigating effect of Ananas comosus (pineapple juice) extract on an aluminum-induced testicular toxicity in male Wistar rats was examined in this study. Thirty healthy adult male Wistar rats with an average weight of 200 g were grouped into six groups; distilled water and 1 ml of pineapple juice extracts were administered to the control and treated animals respectively for 3 weeks. The control group was given rat pellets and distilled water. Negative control was given 100mg/kg/d Aluminum Chloride and pellets; Group 1 was given 100mg/kg/d and 1ml of pineapple juice in distilled water orally; Group 2 was given 100mg/kg/d Aluminum Chloride and 1.5 ml of in distilled water orally; group 3 was given 100 mg/kg/day aluminum chloride and 2 ml of pineapple juice in distilled water orally; group 4 was given 100 mg/kg/day aluminum chloride and 2.5 ml of pineapple juice in distilled water orally. Testicular histology, semen parameters, and testosterone were assessed. Results This study showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in testicular volume, motile sperm count, concentration, total count, progressive evaluation, and morphology in the negative control group relative to the normal control and extract control groups. In the groups co-treated with aluminum chloride and Ananas comosus extract, there was improvement in sperm volume, motility, total count, progressive assessment, and morphology. There was also a statistical decrease (P < 0.05) in testosterone hormone in the negative control group, but there was an increase in the aluminum chloride and Ananas comosus extract co-treated groups. Similarly, in co-treated aluminum chloride and Ananas comosus extract, the degenerative seminiferous tubule histoarchitecture due to aluminum chloride in the negative control group was enhanced. Conclusion Based on this current study, it was evident that aluminum chloride induced oxidative stress and retarded reproduction in males whereas Ananas comosus mitigated reproduction in males by improving sperm parameters and microarchitecture of the testes.