Impact of Zinc and Methanol Extract of Sphenocentrum Jollyanum Roots on Testicular Histomorphological Integrity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of co-administration of zinc and methanol extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum root (MSJR) on the histomorphology of the testes in Wistar rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats weighing between 180-200g were assigned into six groups (n=6). Group A, vehicle control was administered water, while groups B and C were administered MSJR at 500 and 1000 mg/kg. Animals in group D received Zinc at 20 mg/kg while those in E and F received zinc co-administered with MSJR (500 and 1000 mg/kg) respectively. Water, MSJR and zinc were administered by oral gavage daily for 56 days. Rats were weighed weekly and sacrificed by cervical dislocation at the end of the experimental period. The right testis was excised, homogenised for analyses of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA), while the left testis was processed for general histology. Results revealed that MSJR administration was associated with increased body weight and decreased testicular weights compared to control. Increase in levels of MDA and SOD activity and a decrease in GSH was also observed Administration of zinc alone or combined with MSJR was associated with decreased body weight and increased testicular weight as well as a reversal of MJSR induced oxidative stress. Results of testicular histomorphology revealed evidence of testicular injury with MSJR which was reversed with zinc coadministration. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the adverse effects of MSJR on biochemical and histomorphological indices of testicular integrity and also demonstrated zinc’s ability to mitigate these effects.