Therapeutic Potential of Aloe vera and Aloe vera Fabricated Silver Nanoparticles on Reproductive Function in Male Mice Exposed to Hexavalent Chromium

Hexavalent chromium Cr (VI), an endocrine disruptor, has been a possible risk factor for male-oriented infertility, due to its damaging effect on testes. Thus, we sought to analyze the protective effect of Aloe vera (A. vera) and their mediated silver nanoparticles on testes in mice. Sixty male mice were exposed to Cr (VI) and A. vera extract (AV) and their mediated silver nanoparticles (AV+NP) as protective agents for 60 days. The organ index, hormone analysis, enzyme analysis, metal estimation, computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA), histopathology of testes and micrometric data were assessed using one-way ANOVA. A significant reduction was found in the level of catalase (87.1 ± 7.02 mmol/mL), superoxide dismutase (61.8 ± 2.5 mmol/mL), glutathione (1.51 ± 0.9 µmol/mL), luteinizing hormone (LH) (1.6 ± 0.3 ng/mL), and testosterone (2.3 ± 0.2 ng/mL) in Cr exposed group. However, a significant increase was found in Cr exposed mice in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (159.9 ± 4.98 ng/mL) level. With administration of AV and AV+NP, we found a significant increase in level of catalase (143.4 ± 2.6 mmol/mL; 134.8 ± 9.1 mmol/mL), superoxide dismutase (205.8 ± 13.0 mmol/mL; 187.3 ± 9.9 mmol/mL), glutathione (2.98 ± 0.2 µmol/mL; 3.06 ± 0.2 µmol/mL), luteinizing hormone (LH) (2.9 ± 0.2 ng/mL; 3.1 ± 0.2 ng/mL), and testosterone (3.9 ± 0.1 ng/mL; 4.58 ± 0.2 ng/mL) respectively, whereas, FSH level was decreased (84.7 ± 7.2 ng/mL; 70.4 ± 4 ng/mL). The CASA showed a noticeable decrease in sperm quantity and kinematics after Cr exposure. In AV and AV+NP exposed groups, the sperm kinematics were improved significantly. The histopathological studies showed necrosis of Leydig cells, absence of sperm tails, and destruction in the zone of mitosis and meiosis in Cr-exposed groups. The micro morphometric analysis showed a significant reduction in the size of spermatogonia (38.9 ± 0.7 µm), size of spermatocytes (26.91 ± 1.4 µm), head breadth (5.4 ± 0.7 µm), head length (19.98 ± 1.2 µm), middle piece, and tail length (0.00 ± 0.0 µm; 0.00 ± 0.0 µm) in Cr exposed mice. However, with the AV and AV+NP administration, the testis architecture was improved, exhibiting an improved zone of mitosis and meiosis. A. vera exposure induced a significant decrease in the size of spermatogonia (24.1 ± 2.4 µm), and size of spermatocytes (18.7 ± 1.2 µm), whereas a significant increase in sperm head breadth (15.1 ± 0.8 µm), and head length (34.4 ± 2.8 µm) was found. We found that AV and AV+NP can potentially reduce oxidative damage induced by Cr (VI) in testes and promote fertility.