MITIGATING EFFECTS OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE AGAINST REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY INDUCED BY DICHLOROVOS IN MALE RATS

Abstract

Objective: Aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Z. officinalein mitigating oxidative damage and reproductive toxicity in the testis, induced by chronic dichlorovos administration in male Wistar rats.Methods: Twenty four adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats in each group. Group I received olive oil (1 ml/ kg bwt/day) and served as control group, while Group II was administered dichlorovos (20 mg/kg bwt/day) and Group III & IV received a combination of dichlorovos (20 mg/kg bwt) andZingiber officinale (ginger) extract (100 & 200 mg/kg bwt) for 45 days. At the end of the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed.Results: The weight of the reproductive organs and serum FSH, LH and testosterone levels were assayed. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) (indexed by MDA) and antioxidants enzymes GSH, SOD, CAT were also analysed. Dichlorovos treatment decreased the weight of testis, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicle as well as the serumlevels of FSH, LH and testosterone. There was a decrease in the activities of GSH, SOD and CAT as well as an increase in MDA concentration.Conclusion: Co-administration of aqueous extract ofZingiber officinalewith dichlorovos showed protective effect and increases the reproductive organs weight and enhancesserum hormones level along with increased antioxidants activities and reduced lipid peroxidation. This indicates that Zingiber officinale mitigates reproductive toxicity and oxidative damage induced by dichlorovos exposure due to its antioxidant activity in the testes.