The ameliorative effect of methanolic red carrot extract and vitamin E against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in rats

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of methanolic red carrot extract (MRCE) against cadmium intoxication on testis of adult Wister albino male rats. For that purpose, forty eight Wister albino male rats were randomly divided into four groups (12 rats per group). Group 1 (normal control), animals received corn oil. Group 2 (cadmium group), animals received cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dose of (5 mg/ kg BW). Group 3 (cadmium &Vit. E group), animals received vitamin E at a dose of (400mg/kg BW) and CdCl2at a dose of (5 mg/kg BW). Group 4 (cadmium & red carrot extract, animals received methanol: water red carrot extract (1:1) at a dose of 400 mg/kg and CdCl2 at a dose of (5 mg/kg BW). All rats were received their corresponding treatment orally by gastric gavage daily for 4 weeks. Result of organ weight analysis in Cd –exposed rats showed a decrease in testes weight. On the contrary, MRCE and vitamin E prophylactic co-treatments with cadmium showed significant increase in testis weights in comparison to cadmium group (P<0.05). Moreover, sperm concentrations were reduced markedly with cadmium while they were upturned greatly after prophylactic co-treatment with either MRCE or vitamin E (P<0.05). Moreover, cadmium induced a significant increase in testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant decrease of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) but both MRCE and vitamin E supplementation succeeded markedly to produce a significant reduction in testicular MDA and noticeable increase of TAC level. Thus, MRCE and vitamin E could be considered optimal prophylactic treatments to protect the testis of rats from cadmium intoxication.