Toxicological Evaluation of a Polyherbal Formulation on Testicular Function and Gonadal Histomorphology in Exposed Wistar Rats

Overview

Journal Biomedicine (Taipei)

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2023 Nov 8

PMID 37937303

Authors

Godswill James Udom

Uduak Peter Ise

Omoirri Moses Aziakpono

Ayodeji Aturamu

Mba Ogbonnaya

Israel Kevin Umana

Jude Efiom Okokon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Dr Iguedo Goko Cleanser® is a herbal formulation (HF) widely marketed in southern Nigeria and purported to be very efficacious for the management of various diseases including giardiasis, toilet infections, hypertension, diabetes, ulcer, impotence, low libido, low sperm count amongst others. Medicinal plants reportedly produce an array of adverse reactions capable of inducing harmful conditions, including death.

Aim: This study evaluated the subchronic toxicity concern of HF on testicular function and gonadal histoarchitecture in Wistar rats.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly divided into six groups (5/group) and were orally administered HF for 60 days. The control groups received 5 mL/kg of distilled water; the treatment groups were administered 476.24 and 158.75 mg/kg body weight of HF each for both male and female rats. Using standard procedures, semen analysis was done for all male rats. Animals were anaesthetised and sacrificed on the 62nd day; the gonads were eviscerated, weighed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histopathological examinations.

Results: Significant (p < 0.05) increase in sperm count relative to control as well as spermatotoxic effects were observed in male rats. Histologically, the ovary presented some degrees of pathologies: cloggy appearing ovarian cortex with a display of a tumour-like cortical area, scantily displayed primordial follicles, haemorrhagic blood vessels, atretic secondary follicle, and eroding granulosa cells amongst others. Testicular histopathology showed abnormal seminiferous tubules' histoarchitecture, degenerated spermatids, distorted spermatogenic cells' orientation, and displaced spermatids into the luminal space.

Conclusion: Herbal drugs are usually regarded to be completely safe due to their natural sources, however, this study discovered exposure-related toxic effects of Dr Iguedo Goko Cleanser® on testicular function and gonadal histomorphology. The findings recommend extreme caution with chronic use and avoidance whenever possible.

References

Liman M, Hassen A, McGaw L, Sutovsky P, Holm D . Potential Use of Tannin Extracts as Additives in Semen Destined for Cryopreservation: A Review. Animals (Basel). 2022; 12(9). PMC: 9101357. DOI: 10.3390/ani12091130. View

Cosyns J, Jadoul M, Squifflet J, Wese F, Van Ypersele De Strihou C . Urothelial lesions in Chinese-herb nephropathy. Am J Kidney Dis. 1999; 33(6):1011-7. DOI: 10.1016/S0272-6386(99)70136-8. View

Azu O, Naidu E, Naidu J, Masia T, Nzemande N, Chuturgoon A . Testicular histomorphologic and stereological alterations following short-term treatment with highly active antiretroviral drugs (HAART) in an experimental animal model. Andrology. 2014; 2(5):772-9. DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00233.x. View

Tabong P, Adongo P . Understanding the social meaning of infertility and childbearing: a qualitative study of the perception of childbearing and childlessness in Northern Ghana. PLoS One. 2013; 8(1):e54429. PMC: 3546987. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054429. View

Agarwal A, Said T . Role of sperm chromatin abnormalities and DNA damage in male infertility. Hum Reprod Update. 2003; 9(4):331-45. DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmg027. View

Kalender Y, Kaya S, Durak D, Uzun F, Demir F . Protective effects of catechin and quercetin on antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation and testis-histoarchitecture induced by chlorpyrifos in male rats. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2012; 33(2):141-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2011.12.008. View

Pokhrel S, Ghimire A, Chhetry M, Lamichane S, Shreewastav R . Selected Risk Factors and Pattern of Semen Abnormality in Male Partners of Infertile Couples in Eastern Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2020; 58(229):668-671. PMC: 7580322. DOI: 10.31729/jnma.4882. View

Mylchreest E, Malley L, ONeill A, Kegelman T, Sykes G, Valentine R . Reproductive and developmental toxicity of inhaled 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene in rats. Reprod Toxicol. 2006; 22(4):613-22. DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2006.04.002. View

Ekor M . The growing use of herbal medicines: issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety. Front Pharmacol. 2014; 4:177. PMC: 3887317. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2013.00177. View

10.

Amida M, Yemitan O, Adeyemi O . Toxicological assessment of the aqueous root extract of Sanseviera liberica Gerome and Labroy (Agavaceae). J Ethnopharmacol. 2007; 113(1):171-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.03.033. View

11.

Cosyns J, Jadoul M, Squifflet J, De Plaen J, Ferluga D, Van Ypersele De Strihou C . Chinese herbs nephropathy: a clue to Balkan endemic nephropathy?. Kidney Int. 1994; 45(6):1680-8. DOI: 10.1038/ki.1994.220. View

12.

Yamasaki K, Yoshida K, Yoshiike M, Shimada K, Nishiyama H, Takamizawa S . Relationship between Semenogelins bound to human sperm and other semen parameters and pregnancy outcomes. Basic Clin Androl. 2017; 27:15. PMC: 5547539. DOI: 10.1186/s12610-017-0059-6. View

13.

Jamalan M, Ghaffari M, Hoseinzadeh P, Hashemitabar M, Zeinali M . Human Sperm Quality and Metal Toxicants: Protective Effects of some Flavonoids on Male Reproductive Function. Int J Fertil Steril. 2016; 10(2):215-23. PMC: 4948074. DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2016.4912. View

14.

Ernst E . Toxic heavy metals and undeclared drugs in Asian herbal medicines. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2002; 23(3):136-9. DOI: 10.1016/S0165-6147(00)01972-6. View

15.

Osinubi A, Daramola A, Noronha C, Okanlawon A, Ashiru O . The effect of quinine and ascorbic acid on rat testes. West Afr J Med. 2008; 26(3):217-21. DOI: 10.4314/wajm.v26i3.28313. View

16.

Wyrobek A, Gordon L, Burkhart J, Francis M, Kapp Jr R, Letz G . An evaluation of the mouse sperm morphology test and other sperm tests in nonhuman mammals. A report of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gene-Tox Program. Mutat Res. 1983; 115(1):1-72. DOI: 10.1016/0165-1110(83)90014-3. View

17.

Ollero M, Lopez M, Sharma R, Alvarez J, Thomas Jr A, Agarwal A . Differential production of reactive oxygen species by subsets of human spermatozoa at different stages of maturation. Hum Reprod. 2001; 16(9):1922-30. DOI: 10.1093/humrep/16.9.1922. View