Protective effects of Digera muricata (L.) Mart. on testis against oxidative stress of carbon tetrachloride in rat

Oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (2 ml/kg body weight i.p.) in rat substantially decreases the increase in body weight and relative testis weight. It also markedly increases the level of TBARS and nitrites along with corresponding decrease in reduced glutathione and various antioxidant enzymes in testis, i.e., catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Serum level of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone was significantly decreased while estradiol and prolactin were increased with carbon tetrachloride treatment. Histopathology of CCl4-treated rats indicated the partial degeneration of germ and Leydig cells along with deformities in spermatogenesis. Supplementation of Digera muricata (100, 150, 200 mg/kg body weight orally) once a week for 16 weeks results in decrease of TBARS and nitrite, while increase in antioxidant enzymes; catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, GSH-Px and GSH contents. Serum level of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, prolactin, histology, body weight and relative testis weight was also concomitantly restored to near normal level by D. muricata supplementation to carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rat. The results clearly demonstrate that D. muricata treatment augments the antioxidants defense mechanism against carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity and provides evidence that it may have a therapeutic role in free radical mediated diseases.