Basella alba , Grewia asiatica , Solanum nigrum and Ficus carica fruit extracts ameliorate the testicular histopathology induced by CCl4 exposure in albino mice: An experimental study

• Published in: Iranian journal of reproductive medicine Vol. 20; no. 2
• Main Authors: Ahmad, Syeda Nadia, Ahmad, Khawaja Raees, Abdullah, Usma, Malik, Fiza, Ali, Rabiyah, Amir-ud-din, Umara, Kanwal, Muhammad Ali, Inayat, Iram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences of Yazd 04-05-2022
• Subjects: Basella alba; Ficus carica; Grewia asiatica; Solanum nigrum; testis
• ISSN: 1680-6433

Background: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is extensively used in various
industries and induces oxidative stress in humans. Unfortunately, it is
one of the neglected potent male reproductive toxicants. Objective: The
present research reports the testicular histopathology of CCl4 and
ameliorations by four medicinal fruit pulp extracts (FPEs) in mice.
Materials and Methods: Sixty male albino mice were divided into six
groups (10/group) as per the following: 1. Vehicle control (Vc); 2.
CCl4 (C); 3-6. CCl4+Basella alba (CBa), CCl4+Solanum nigrum (CSn),
CCl4+Ficus carica (CFc) and CCl4+Grewia asiatica (CGa). Except for the
control group, CCl4 (0.1 mL of 0.2 mL kg−1) was given to the
animals in corn oil. The four plant extracts (0.1 mL each) were
respectively given to the relevant FPE group animals for the next five
consecutive days, while the animals in the Vc and CCl4 groups received
water instead of FPE. Results: The CCl4 exposure led to various
histometric and histological alterations (loss of interstitial tissue
and various dislodged tailless spermatids with enlarged heads) that
were recovered in all except Solanum nigrum FPE mice post-treatment.
The micrometric data of testicular sections also indicated significant
decline in the number of spermatogonia, while the cross-sectional area
of the sperm heads remained significantly higher in the CSn and C
groups. Conclusion: Except for Solanum nigrum, the three FPEs,
especially Ficus carica, showed rehabilitative properties against CCl4
exposure-related modifications in testicular histopathologies.