Protective effect of Pistacia lentiscus extract on ethanol-induced testicular tissue damage in male Wistar rats: Histopathological alterations and fertility index
الموضوعات : مجله گیاهان داروییRoya Asadinezhad 1 , Elham Moghtadaei Khorasgani 2 , Firoozeh Saghaei 3 , Taghi Taktaz Hafeshjani 4 , Armin Deyhim 5 , Kambiz Yousefi 6
1 - Department of Veterinary, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, ShahreKord, Iran;
2 - 2Department of Pathobiology, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, ShahreKord, Iran;
3 - Department of Veterinary, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, ShahreKord, Iran;
4 - Department of Animal Clinical Science, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, ShahreKord, Iran;
5 - Department of Veterinary, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, ShahreKord, Iran;
6 - Department of Surgery, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, ShahreKord, Iran;
الکلمات المفتاحية: Ethanol, mastic extract, spermatogonia, testis, testosterone ,
ملخص المقالة :
Background & Aim: Ethanol exposure is known to inflict significant toxic effects on testicular tissue, leading to reduced testosterone levels, impaired spermatogenesis, and ultimately reduced fertility. Given the well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Pistacia lentiscus (mastic gum), the aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of its hydroalcoholic extract against ethanol-induced testicular damage in male Wistar rats. Experimental: Twenty-four adult male rats (weighing 200–250 g) were randomly assigned into four equal groups. The control group received no treatment, while the diseased group was exposed to ethanol (administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight). Two treatment groups received ethanol in combination with 100 and 200 mg/kg of the hydroalcoholic extract of P. lentiscus, respectively. Following a 3‑week treatment period, the animals were fasted, weighed, and blood samples were collected from the right ventricle under diethyl ether anesthesia. Serum testosterone levels were quantified using biochemical assays, and testicular tissue samples were processed for histopathological evaluation via hematoxylin–eosin staining. Results: Data clearly demonstrated that ethanol exposure significantly reduced serum testosterone levels and adversely affected sperm parameters including the number of seminiferous tubules, spermatogonia, spermatids, and spermatozoa compared with the control group (P<0.001). Although the co-administration of 100 mg/kg extract showed notable improvements, the 200 mg/kg dose restored most parameters almost to control values (P<0.001). Histopathological evaluations further confirmed a marked recovery in testicular architecture and cellular integrity with the higher dose of the extract. Recommended applications/industries: This research suggests that P. lentiscus extract could be developed as a natural therapeutic agent for reproductive health support in individuals exposed to alcohol-related oxidative stress. The findings may be applicable in the phytopharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and male fertility supplement industries.
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