Protective and Ameliorative Effects of Tribulus terrestris on Cyproterone Acetate-Induced Reproductive and Endocrine Toxicity in Albino Rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59436/jsiane.v6i1.09.2583-2093Keywords:
Tribulus terrestris, Cyproterone acetate, Reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Albino rats, Antioxidant, Herbal medicineAbstract
Cyproterone acetate (CPA) is an artificially produced anti-androgen that is frequently used clinically to treat conditions associated with androgen. Nevertheless, prolonged administration of CPA produces significant toxicity to the reproductive and endocrine systems. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective and ameliorative potential of Tribulus terrestris (a widely known medicinal plant) against CPA-induced reproductive dysfunction in male albino rats. The male albino rats used were Rattus norvegicus and were divided into four groups (Control Group, CPA-treated Group, Tribulus terrestris Group, and Combined Treatment Group). Following an oral dose of CPA (10 mg/kg body weight) and Tribulus terrestris extract (100 mg/kg body weight) for thirty days, various parameters were examined; body weight, testes weight, sperm count and motility, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oxidative stress markers (Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity). After performing a histopathological analysis of the testicular tissue all test subjects were examined and it was found that CPA had a very significant detrimental effect on reproductive hormones and parameters and increased the amount of oxidative stress within the body. However, if we took Tribulus terrestris simultaneously with CPA, we could restore sperm parameters, hormones, and antioxidant levels back to pre-treatment level (within normal limits). The histological analysis showed that seminiferous tubules (where sperm are produced) were beginning to recover in the treatment groups that received both Tribulus terrestris and CPA. Thus, the results from this study indicate that Tribulus terrestris can protect against CPA toxicity to reproduction and endocrine systems, and provide significant evidence to support using herbal remedies as treatment options to reduce pharmaceutical-induced reproductive damage. In addition, there is substantial evidence from this study to support that Tribulus terrestris could be helpful in preventing further damage by serving as an all-natural protective agent.
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