Anti-apoptotic, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Sida corymbosa Leaf Methanol Extract Ameliorate Lead Acetate-Induced Testicular Functions Alteration in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Lead acetate (Pb) is an environmental toxicant widely reported to distort testicular functions. Methanol extract of Sida corymbosa leaves (SC) possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was designed to evaluate the role of SC on lead acetate-induced alteration in testicular functions. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were grouped randomly and equally into six and treated as follows: control, Pb (15 mgkg-1), SC (100 mgkg-1), SC (200 mgkg-1), Pb+SC (100 mgkg-1), and Pb+SC (200 mgkg-1) respectively. Administrations were orally done for 54 days. Computer-aided sperm analyzer, ELISA, spectrophotometry, immunohistochemistry, and PCR techniques were used. Pb significantly reduced follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, androgen receptors expression, 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, viability, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, and BCL-2. Pb significantly increased abnormal sperm morphology, malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, BAD, TNF-α, and IL-6. The combination of SC and Pb significantly reverses the hormones, steroidogenic enzymes, sperm quality, testicular oxidant, antioxidant enzymes, testicular DNA damage, apoptosis, and inflammation when compared with the Pb group. Anti-apoptosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of Sida corymbosa improve lead acetate-induced testicular functions alteration in Wistar rats.