Tangeretin alleviates malathion-instigated testicular toxicity via ameliorating biochemical, apoptotic, hormonal & steroidogenic markers

Malathion (MLT) is an organophosphate pesticide that instigates severe injuries in the testicular tissues. Tangeretin (TGN) is an important naturally present flavone that shows potential antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities. This research was planned to ascertain the palliative role of TGN against MLT-instigated testicular toxicity in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. 48 rats were distributed into 4 groups: control, MLT (100 mgkg⁻¹), MLT+TGN (100 + 50 mgkg⁻¹ respectively), and TGN (50 mgkg⁻¹). The results showed that MLT exposure reduced the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH), whereas escalated the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, it decreased the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), plasma testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). MLT also reduced the expressions of steroidogenic enzymes, including StAR, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD. Additionally, MLT exposure increased the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3, while reducing the Bcl-2 expressions. MLT administration also increased the levels of inflammatory markers such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (1L-1β) as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in testes. Nonetheless, TGN recovered all the MLT induced damages in testes. In conclusion, TGN could ameliorate MLT instigated testicular impairment because of its anti-apoptotic, androgenic and anti-oxidant properties.