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Protective effect of Abutilon indicum against lead‐induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats
Author(s) -
R. Santhoshkumar,
S. Asha Devi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of cellular biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1097-4644
pISSN - 0730-2312
DOI - 10.1002/jcb.28395
Subject(s) - superoxide dismutase , lead acetate , toxicity , catalase , antioxidant , reproductive toxicity , oxidative stress , sperm , glutathione , glutathione peroxidase , biology , pharmacology , toxicology , chemistry , enzyme , biochemistry , botany , organic chemistry
Despite ample literature on the toxic impact of lead on the environment and health, the exact mechanism of pathogenesis/toxicity is not clearly known. Because it is well established that lead induces oxidative stress, it is assumed that exposure to antioxidants may reduce the toxic impact of lead. In this study, we evaluated the impact of coadministration of the methanolic root extract of a plant Abutilon indicum (50, 100, 200 mg kg −1 b.wt.) in mitigating the toxic impact of lead on the reproductive system of rats. In brief, Wistar rats were exposed to lead acetate in drinking water with or without coadministration of plant root extract and compared with that of control animals. After 45 days of exposure as outlined above, the animals were killed and the reproductive toxicity was assessed by sperm parameters, hormone and antioxidant enzyme assays, and testis histopathology. Significant reduction in testis weight, sperm count, testosterone levels, and antioxidant enzymes levels such as Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Glutathione peroxidase was seen in lead‐treated animals, confirming the toxic impact. The coadministration of A. Indicum (100 and 200 mg kg −1 b.wt.) was found to bring the studied parameters close to the levels seen in untreated (control) animals. Our findings are indicative of the protective nature of A. Indicum against lead‐induced reproductive toxicity in a dose‐dependent manner. However, further characterization of the root extract is required to elucidate the probable mechanism of protection.