Ethanol extract of aloe vera ameliorates Artemether-Lumefantrine-induced reproductive toxicity in adult male Albino rats (Wistar Strain)

TL;DR

Aloe vera extract helps reduce testicular damage caused by a malaria drug in male rats.

Contribution

This study shows that Aloe vera can mitigate Artemether-Lumefantrine-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Findings

Aloe vera improved spermiogram indices in rats treated with Artemether-Lumefantrine.

Aloe vera pretreatment protected testicular architecture and reduced oxidative stress markers.

Concurrent administration of Aloe vera and Artemether-Lumefantrine showed protective effects.

Abstract

Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) is one of the alternative drugs used in treating malaria – an endemic scourge in Africa. AL has been reported to generate free radicals with long term use implicated in testicular pathologies. The antioxidative properties of Aloe vera (AV) has been well documented. This study investigated the ameliorative effect of ethanol extract of Aloe Vera on Artemether-Lumefantrine induced testicular toxicity. Thirty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (Control, AL-dosed, AV-dosed, AL+AV concurrently administered and AV-pretreated). Spermiogram, serum testosterone, testicular histopathology and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunohistochemistry were carried out. AL-dosed rats had poor spermiogram indices which were greatly improved in AV-dosed and AV-pretreated rats. These also corresponded with the testicular histopathology observations and were further buttressed by oxidative stress marker (iNOS) as AL-dosed rats had higher signal intensity compared to the control and AV-pretreated rats. Authors posit that concurrent administration of AV and AL protected testicular architecture while pretreating with AV prior AL administration improved the spermiogram. AL induces testicular pathology, thus should be used with care in male subjects. AV can confer a level of protection against these defects if used prior to administration of the drug.

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