A STUDY ON THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ORANGE WASTE ON TESTICULAR DAMAGE INDUCED BY CO-ADMINISTRATION OF LEAD AND CADMIUM

ABSTRACT

Environmental pollution with heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) poses a significant threat to human health, with a particular concern for their adverse effects on reproductive organs, including the testes. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of ethanoic orange phytowaste extract against testicular oxidative damage induced by co-toxicity of lead and cadmium. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, Pb+Cd, Pb+Cd+Zn and Se, EECSP(250mg/kg)+Pb and Cd and EECSP(500mg/kg)+Pb and Cd. The Pb-Cd group was exposed to a combination of lead acetate and cadmium chloride via oral administration for 30 days, while the Pb+Cd+EECSP groups received both metals and EECSP concurrently. The standard (Zn+Se) group was treated with Zinc and Selenium alongside the metals, and the control group received distilled water only. Our results demonstrated that co-exposure to lead and cadmium significantly increased testicular oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH), while decreasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, co-toxicity of Pb and Cd led to histopathological alterations in the testicular tissues, including seminiferous tubule damage and disruption of spermatogenesis. However, supplementation with EECSP in the Pb-Cd+ EECSP groups ameliorated these effects significantly. EECSP administration restored the levels of MDA and GSH and enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. Additionally, histological examinations revealed marked improvements in testicular tissue integrity and seminiferous tubule morphology. In conclusion, our study suggests that ethanoic orange phytowaste extract possesses protective properties against testicular oxidative damage induced by the co-toxicity of lead and cadmium. These findings highlight the potential use of ornange phytowaste as a natural antioxidant and cytoprotective agent in mitigating the harmful effects of heavy metal exposure on male reproductive health. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these protective effects and to explore their therapeutic potential for human health.