Histomorphological and Biochemical Assessment of Toxic Effect of Methanol Extract of Datura Stramonium Seed on Testicular Integrity of Adult Male Wistar Rat

This study aimed at exploring the effects of oral administration of a methanolic extract of Datura stramonium seed (MEDSS) on the testes of an adult male Wistar rats. Seventy-nine (79) male Wistar rats, weighing averagely 210±10 g, were randomly selected into seven groups of seven rats each, while the remaining thirty rats were used for the acute toxicity study. Group A served as control, while B, C, D, E, F, and G served as treatment groups. Groups B and E, C and F, D, and G received 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight of MEDSS, respectively, for 56 days, while treatment was withdrawn from groups E, F, and G for 28 days after the initial treatment of 56 days. We weighed the rats weekly during the experimental period and sacrificed them at the end of each experimental period. Results of oxidative stress marker revealed that Malondialdehyde concentration was significantly (P< 0.05) elevated in a dose dependent manner in groups B, C and D compared to the control (A) and was restored significantly (P< 0.05) in the recovery groups (E, F and G) compared to groups B, C and D, respectively. Furthermore, SOD and GPx activities were significantly (P< 0.05) reduced in a dose dependent manner in Groups B, C and D compared to the control and were restored significantly (P< 0.05) in the recovery groups (E, F and G) when compared to Groups B, C and D respectively. Histological studies revealed dose dependent distorted histo-architecture of the testes in groups B, C, and D compared to the normal architecture in control group (A) and was restored to near normal in recovery groups (E, F and G) compared to groups B, C and D respectively. Results obtained showed that the LD50 of MEDSS was 500 mg/kg body weight which was what guided the doses administered to the rats. There was significant increase in the body weight (P< 0.05) in all the treatment groups B, C, D, E, F and G compared to control. Relative testicular weight in groups C and D showed significant reduction (P< 0.05) compared to control. MEDSS thus exhibited a reversible anti-fertility effect on male oxidative stress parameters. The observed distortion of the histo-architecture of testes was not reversible at doses lesser than 100 mg/kg body weight as reversibility increased with increasing dosages as seen in this study.