Mucuna pruriens protects the testes from Quinine-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats

Background: Quinine (QU) has been identified as a testicular toxicant that leads to infertility. However some plant extracts have demonstrated protective effects on the testes.Objective: To determine the effect of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed extract on the testes and its protective role on QU-induced testicular damage.Methods: Twenty male rats weighing between 120-150 g were used for the study. They were divided into four groups of five rats each. Group I (control) administered distilled water for 8 weeks. Group II received 10 mg/kg of QU only for 8 weeks. Group III rats were treated with QU and MP seed extract at 10 and 75 mg/kg concurrently for 8 weeks. Group IV received 75 mg/kg of MP seed extract only for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental durations animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Testes harvested, processed for testicular: glutathione (GSH), catalase activity (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) and microscopic studies. Blood samples collected for testosterone assay.Results: There were significant increases in serum testosterone and testicular antioxidants (GSH, CAT and SOD) levels and a decrease in MDA levels in rats treated with MP only and parallel doses of QU and MP for 8 weeks when compared to control and animals treated with QU alone. The histology showed corresponding improvement compared to control and QU treated rats.Conclusion: MP increases testosterone levels and testicular antioxidant enzymes as well as protecting the testis against QU induced testicular damage.Keywords: Mucuna pruriens, Testis, Quinine, Infertility