# Protective effects of Lagerstroemia speciosa against paracetamol-induced renal and testicular toxicity in rats via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms

## TL;DR

This study shows that Lagerstroemia speciosa extract protects rats from kidney and testicular damage caused by high doses of paracetamol by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the nephroprotective and gonadoprotective effects of Lagerstroemia speciosa extract in a paracetamol toxicity model.

## Key findings

- EELS treatment significantly reduced PCM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.
- EELS restored sperm quality and biochemical parameters to near-normal levels.
- Histopathological analysis confirmed structural recovery in kidney and testicular tissues.

## Abstract

Paracetamol (PCM) is widely used as an analgesic; however, at high doses, it is well recognized for its hepatotoxic effects and is increasingly associated with renal and reproductive damage.

In the present study, the protective potential of ethanolic Lagerstroemia speciosa leaf extract (EELS; 500 mg/kg/day, orally for 24 days) was investigated against PCM-induced kidney and testicular injury in male rats, using N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as a reference treatment.

PCM administration led to pronounced impairment in sperm quality and significant disturbances in serum biochemical parameters, reflected by elevated renal function markers, sodium, and phosphorus levels, together with reduced calcium, potassium, and testosterone. These changes were accompanied by clear evidence of oxidative stress, as indicated by increased malondialdehyde and decreased reduced glutathione. Moreover, inflammatory and apoptotic responses were markedly intensified, whereas antioxidant and steroidogenic regulators were suppressed. Histopathological findings further confirmed extensive structural damage in renal and testicular tissues. Notably, treatment with EELS or NAC substantially mitigated these alterations, restoring most parameters toward normal values.

Collectively, these findings demonstrate that EELS exerts notable nephroprotective and gonadoprotective effects comparable to NAC, largely through the attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Illustration depicts the biochemical pathways of paracetamol (PCM) toxicity in a mouse model, showing its effects on kidney and testis cells, inducing oxidative stress via NAPQI, leading to lipid peroxidation, GSH depletion, altered transcription factors (NF-kB, Nrf2), and resulting in cellular damage and biomarker changes.