Ameliorative effect of Odontonema cuspidatum extract against testicular damage induced by sodium nitrite in rats

Sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) is a chemical substance used to enhance taste, add color, and keep food products fit for consumption for a longer time. NaNO₂ gives rise to a negative adverse effect on male reproductive function. Odontonema cuspidatum (OC) is a natural plant that possesses antioxidant capacity.

Our research evaluates the potential beneficial effect of OC extract on the harmful effects caused by NaNO₂ on the testicular tissue and sperm characteristics of male rats.

Four groups with a total of forty rats: the control, the NaNO₂-received group, the OC-administered group, and the fourth group received both NaNO₂ and OC. All groups were administered daily for two months. Sperm characteristics, testicular antioxidant status, qRT-PCR, and histopathological changes were evaluated.

Coadministration of NaNO₂ and OC, in comparison with NaNO₂ alone, contributed to a notable enhancement in acrosomal integrity, decreasing sperm abnormalities and restoring serum testosterone levels. Moreover, such coadministration reduced the oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) in testicular tissue, lowering TNF-α gene expression, and increasing the expression of P450scc and StAR genes. In addition, the NaNO₂ and OC combination decreased the testicular histopathological changes and the Caspase-3 and Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoexpression in seminiferous tubules compared with the NaNO₂ group.

The extract of OC exhibited the ability to decrease oxidative stress and ameliorate the detrimental effects caused by NaNO₂.