Interventions of the Hydroethanolic Fruit Extract of Solanum aethiopicum on Lead-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Adult Male Wistar Rats

— Background: Solanum aethiopicum (SA), commonly known as garden egg or eggplant can be eaten either fresh or cooked and has a wide acceptance and large history of consumption in West Africa. This study focused on interventions of the hydroethanolic fruit extract of S. aethiopicum (SA) on lead-induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-five (25) adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (1-5) of five (5) rats per group. Group 1 served as the control and was given 10 ml/kg/day of distilled water only, Group 2 received 10mg/kg body weight (B.W) of lead acetate only, Group 3 received 100 mg/kg B.W SA and 10mg/kg B.W of lead acetate (Pb), Group 4 received 200 mg/kg B.W of SA and 10mg/kg B.W of lead acetate while Group 5 received 300 mg/kg B.W of SA and 10mg/kg B.W of lead acetate. The administration of the extract was done using gastric gavage once a day, for thirty (30) consecutive days. Semen analysis (to assess sperm parameters such as sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability and normal morphology), Testicular weight and testicular histology were assessed. Testicular oxidative stress markers, such as Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and reduced Glutathione were also assessed. Results: Lead acetate caused a significant decrease in the sperm parameters and testicular antioxidant markers. It also caused a significant distortion of the histology of the testes and an insignificant decrease in testicular weight. The hydroethanolic fruit extract of SA however was found to cause an increase in testicular weight, enhanced sperm parameters, increase in the antioxidant parameters and a decrease in Malondialdehyde in all the lead-treated groups. There was also a marked improvement in the testicular histology after SA administration. Conclusion: It was concluded that S. aethiopicum fruit offers protection against free radical mediated oxidative stress of rats with lead induced testicular toxicity.