AMELIORATIVE POTENTIAL OF ETHANOLIC CRUDE EXTRACT OF Khaya senegalensis ROOT (KERE) AGAINST CADMIUM-INDUCED TESTICULAR TOXICITY IN MALE ALBINO RATS
UDUAK PETER ISE1,*, DAUDA PATIENCE KANADI1, ADEDOYIN ADEDAYO TOLOGBONSE2, TAYO IBUKUN FAMOJURO3, WILLIAMS OCHE UJAH4
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa, Nigeria.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa, Nigeria.
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 17(3): 247-258 ; 2025
ABSTRACT
Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic value against several ailments. Cadmium is a heavy metal with toxic effects on vital organs such as the testes. This study aims to evaluate the ameliorative potential of K. senegalensis root extract (KERE) against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in rodents. Twenty-four male albino rats with weights between 180-250 g were randomly allotted into four groups of six rats thus: Group one rats received 1ml 0.9% normal saline orally for 14 days; group two rats received 600 mg/kg KERE; group three rats received 2 mg/kg Cacl2 subcutaneously; group four rats received 600 mg/kg KERE + 2 mg/kg Cacl2. LD50 of KERE was determined by the OECD 428 limit test. Animals were fasted and sacrificed on the 15th day under anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected using hypodermic needles into EDTA and plain bottles for haematological and biochemical evaluation, respectively. The testes of the rats were eviscerated and processed for semen analysis and histopathological assessment. Hormone analysis was determined using specific Kits. Haematological results revealed significant derangement of FBC parameters in Cd-treated rats compared to normal controls. SOD, MDA, CAT and GPx showed depletion in Cd-treated rats. Semen analysis revealed decreased sperm count, distorted sperm and poor morphology in animals treated with cadmium alone. KERE+Cd group revealed improved semen morphology, testosterone, FSH, and histology significantly against the Cd only group. Pathological examination revealed congestion, inflammation, and abnormal cells of the testes of the Cd group animals. Results from this study indicate KERE ameliorated the toxic effects of cadmium on the testes of treated rats.
Keywords: Traditional medicine, Cadmium, Heavy metals, Testicular toxicity
Email of correspondence: peter.uduak@bingham.edu.ng,;
https://doi.org/10.59493/ajopred/2025.3.1 ISSN: 0794-800X (print); 1596-2431 (online)