Protective effect of Citrus reticulata peel extract against potassium dichromate-induced reproductive toxicity in rats

Objective: To study the protective effect of Citrus reticulata peel extract against potassium dichromate-induced reproductive impairment in male Wistar rats. Methods: A total of 35 male Wistar rats were equally divided into 5 groups. The control group orally received an equivalent volume of saline (1 mL); group 2 was given potassium dichromate at 10 mg/kg/body weight (b.w.) orally for eight weeks; group 3 and 4 orally received Citrus reticulata peel extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg/b.w. respectively, followed by treatment with potassium dichromate. Group 5 was administered with 400 mg/kg/b.w. Citrus reticulata peel extract only. The parameters including oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes), sex hormones (testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone) and inflammation indexes (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, inter leukin 6) were measured. Sperm characteristics (sperm morphology, motility and count) were also determined. Results: The decrease of male sex hormones concentration in plasma (testosterone, luteinizing hormone), testicular antioxidant parameters (reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, carnitine), sperm motility and sperm count induced by potassium dichromate was mitigated by Citrus reticulata peel extract. Moreover, the peel extract alleviated the increase of sperm abnormalities, follicle-stimulating hormone, testicular malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide levels caused by potassium dichromate. The sections of rats treated with the potassium dichromate were characterized by some histopathological changes as disorganization of spermatogonial cell layers and deformation of Leydig cells. A positive immune-reaction for p53 was observed in testicular cells of the rats treated with potassium dichromate. The extract of Citrus reticulata peel improved the testicular histology and decreased p53 positive immune-reaction in potassium dichromate administered rats. Conclusions: Citrus reticulata peel extract can alleviate the reproductive toxicity triggered by potassium dichromate via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Citrus reticulata peel extract may act as a new natural prophylactically agent for the treatment of potassium dichromate-induced testicular damage.