Gonadoprotective potential of Taraxacum officinale on testicular tissue damage induced by cadmium chloride

This study explored the protective effects of ethanolic extract of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) against testicular tissue damage induced by cadmium chloride in male Wistar rats, with particular relevance to the high environmental and occupational exposure to cadmium in industrialized regions of Kazakhstan and its detrimental impact on male reproductive health. A total of ۴۸ rats were randomly assigned to eight groups: a control group, an extract control group, a cadmium group (receiving ۲ mg kg-۱ intraperitoneally), and groups receiving either pretreatment or simultaneous treatment with the extract at doses of ۵۰, ۱۰۰, or ۲۰۰ mg kg-۱ via oral gavage. Over a ۲۸-day intervention period, a comprehensive assessment was conducted, including measurements of body and testicular weights, evaluation of oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH), analysis of sex hormone levels (testosterone, FSH, LH), and histopathological examination of testicular tissue. The results revealed that cadmium exposure led to a marked reduction in testicular weight (by ۳۵.۵%), a substantial increase in MDA levels (۳.۲-fold), significant decreases in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD by ۶۴.۷%, CAT by ۶۱.۶%), a pronounced drop in serum testosterone (by ۷۱.۶%), and severe histological damage characterized by reduced seminiferous tubule diameter and a low Johnson score (۴.۳). Notably, administration of dandelion extract, particularly as a pretreatment at ۲۰۰ mg kg-۱, resulted in significant improvements: testicular weight recovered by ۹۳.۴%, MDA levels decreased by ۶۲.۱%, SOD activity increased by ۸۹.۸%, testosterone levels rose by ۸۸.۶%, and testicular tissue integrity was largely preserved (Johnson score: ۸.۹). Strong correlations were observed between reductions in MDA and increases in testosterone (r = -۰.۸۷۳), as well as improvements in Johnson score (r = +۰.۹۰۲). Furthermore, the pretreatment protocol demonstrated a ۶-۸% advantage over concurrent treatment in key parameters. These findings underscore the potent gonadoprotective effects of the T. officinale extract, primarily through its antioxidant properties, maintenance of hormonal homeostasis, and prevention of cellular damage. Given the widespread availability of dandelion in Kazakhstan, standardized extracts of this plant could serve as a promising natural preventive strategy for populations at heightened risk of cadmium exposure.

کلیدواژه ها:

Taraxacum officinale ، Cadmium chloride ، Testicular tissue ، Gonadoprotective effect