Avocado (<i>Persea americana</i>) pulp extract mitigates the testicular oxidative stress and inflammation induced by cadmium in male rats

Abstract

Abstract One environmental contaminant that affects several tissues and organs, including the testis, is cadmium (Cd). Persea americana is a distinctive fruit with remarkable nutritional and technological qualities in addition to possible health benefits. This study aimed to assess the ameliorative impact of the avocado pulp extract on the testicular toxicity induced by Cd in male rats. In this study, 40 adults’ male Wistar albino rats were utilized. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the avocado extract (AvE)-supplemented group (125 mg/kg, daily), the Cd-treated group (5 mg/kg, daily), and the Cd-treated group that was supplemented with AvE. Cd showed marked testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, testicular injury, and apoptosis. Also, Cd-exposure adversely affected the tissue biosynthesis of male sex hormones and sperm parameters. The treatment of Cd-exposed rats with AvE revealed a pronounced return to normalcy of the oxidative stress markers, as evidenced by a remarkable decrease in the testicular MDA and an improvement of SOD, CAT, and GSH activities. Additionally, AvE had considerably improved the levels of male sexual hormones and the sperm parameters (count, motility, and viability) that were disrupted by cadmium. Likewise, AvE amended the testicular inflammation and histopatholgical features induced by Cd as indicated by decreased levels of NF-κB and IL-1β, as well as by inhibiting COX-2 expression. Further ameliorative effect of AvE was evidenced by attenuation of testicular apoptosis through lowering of Bax expression and Bcl-2 overexpression. P. americana pulp extract has a potential ameliorative role against cadmium-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the testicular tissues.