Regenerative effects of aqueous extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative damages in testes of male Wistar rats

Oyetunji Adeoye Oyewopo, Ade Steven Alabi, Aminu Imam, Gabriel Godson Akunna

Annals of Bioanthropology 2016 4(2):65-70

Introduction: Adansonia digitata (AD) is a multipurpose tree species widely used for food and non-food products and medicine. Every part of the baobab tree is reported to be useful. However, exposure to high concentrations of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (including vapor) had been reported to be injurious to human health. Aim: The present study investigated the effects of AD fruit pulp extracts on CCl4-induced testicular toxicity. Materials and Method: Twenty (20) adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) with five rats in each group. Group A received distilled water, group B received a single oral dose of CCl4(2.5 mL/kg) for two days, group C received 500 mg/kg body weight aqueous extract of Adansonia, and group D received 2.5 mL/kg of CCl4for two days followed by 500 mg/kg body weight Adansonia aqueous extracts for 14 days. The animals were autopsied 3 weeks after CCl4and AD extracts injection. Results: Result showed that CCl4induced oxidative damage in testes and decreased the hormonal level of testosterone (TT). AD extracts normalized the testicular damages caused by CCl4. Pretreatment with AD ameliorated the testicular content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Similarly, AD treatment attenuated the CCl4-induced increase in hormonal level. In conclusion, AD ameliorated and protected the testes against CCl4-induced oxidative damages and deranged sperm characteristics in adult Wistar rats.

http://ift.tt/2oRarrQ