ABSTRACT

Tho study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Centella asiatica on mercury induced testis of the male adult Wistar rats. One variety of Centella asialica leaf was used( herbarium number UBII-C601). Twenty five (25) adult Wistar rat of same sex (males) with an average weight of 180g were used. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (A -E) consistings of 5 rats each. Group A served as control and Iml of distilled water was administered to them while Groups B-E served as experimental groups. Four different concentrations were given: Group B, (4mg/kg body weight of HgCh) only were administered to the rats. In Group C, (250mg/kg +4mg/kg body weight) were administered to the rats as low dose. In Group D, (500mg/kg+4mg/kg body weight) were administered to the rats as high dose and in group E, (500mg/kg body weight) of only extract was administered to the rats. The rats were given access to standard animal feed and clean water and were weighed before the commencement and during the period of administration. At the end of he experimental period, the rats were weighed and sacrificed using chloroform as anesthesia. Biood samples were collected in heparin bottles for biochemical analysis and the testis was harvested immediately and fixed in 10% Formalin to avoid autolysis and were taken for histological examination processing. After tissue processing, photomicrographs were taken with x4 and x100 magnification. The result showed no statistical significance in organ(testes) weight,body weight and gonadosomatic index. The oxidative stress analysis result showed no statistical significance among all groups. However there was an increase in the level of MDA in serum of group B (mercury chloride only) when compared to control and in reverse SOD showed significant decrease in group B when compared to control. Glutathione peroxidase also showed significant decrease in Group B when 3 compared to control. Based on the results of the photomicrography of the histological slides, Group A(control) showed normal histological features of the seminiferous tubule with intact cells of the spermatogenic series(SS) and mature spermatozoa(SZ) in the lumen. Group B(mercury chloride only) showed atrophic seminiferous tubule(aST) evidenced by with depletion and degenerating cells of spermatogenic series. Group C(mercury chloride and 250mg extract) showed normal histological features of the seminiferous tubule with intact cells of the spermatogenic series (SS) and mature spermatozoa (SZ) in the lumen Group D(mercury chloride and 500mg extract) showed normal histological features of the seminiferous tubule with intact cells of the spermatogenic series(SS) and mature spermatozoa(SZ) in the lumen Group E(extract only) showed normal histological features of the seminiferous tubule with intact cells of the spermatogenic series(SS) and mature spermatozoa(SZ) in the lumen In conclusion, the results shows that centella asiatica has protective effects on mercury induced testicular damage.