Determination of Cellular and Biochemical Events in Boric Acid induced Male Reproductive Toxicity and Evaluating the Reversible Potential of Hydro Alcoholic Extracts of Eclipta alba

Abstract

Boric acid administration has detrimental effect on different reproductive organs, liver and kidney in rats. In the present study, male Wistar rats were orally fed with boric acid at a dose regimen of 350 mg/kg bodyweight for a period of 30 days, followed by oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Eclipta alba at a dose regimen of 500 mg/kg body weight orally for 60 days. Boric acid treated group showed signs of toxicity as early as 15 days such as liver damage, nephropathy and complete damage to the testis, epididymis and prostate, which aggravated on 30 days of the boric acid study period. Seminal vesicles were partly affected. Oxidative stress in all the vital organs showed significant increase. Following the plant extract treatment, complete reversal in reproductive toxicity was observed. The hormonal levels viz., testosterone, estrogen and FSH returned to normal range on the 60 days of plant extract treatment. Significant reversal comparable to the control groups was observed in oxidative stress in the vital tissues. The fertility of the rats was found to be restored. The altered tissue morphology showed significant signs or recovery as observed under light and electron microscopic examination. Thus treatment with the plant extract, the overall recovery in the boric acid treated rats was observed.