The Role of Antioxidant Plant Extracts in Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injuries

Abstract

The effects of cadmium (Cd) on testes were examined in rats injected subcutaneously with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dosage of 7 mg/kg body weight. Following CdCl2 treatment, the rats were euthanized with phenobarbital sodium 24 hours post-injection, and their testes were subsequently removed and homogenized. The extent of hemorrhage was assessed by employing a spectrophotometer to measure the absorbance of hemoglobin at 414 nm in the soluble fraction of the organ homogenates. Exposure to Cd resulted in severe hemorrhage and increased hemoglobin absorbance in the testes of the treated animals. However, oral pre-treatment of different animal groups with various plant antioxidant extracts, such as ginger extract, pure garlic juice, pure broccoli juice, pure mint juice, and curcumin, administered in seven successive doses over seven days, significantly mitigated Cd-induced testicular hemorrhage. Consequently, it was concluded that the antioxidant properties of these plant extracts could effectively prevent cardiovascular damage to rat testes induced by Cd.