Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract mitigates nicotine-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

Nicotine, a chemical component included in tobacco, has been demonstrated to influence various facets of spermatogenesis and sperm functionality. Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including reproductive toxicity. The current study aims to investigate the ameliorative effect of Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract (MOE) on nicotine (NT)-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. Forty rats were assigned into four groups (n = 10): control (distilled water), MOE (400 mg/kg), NT (1 mg/kg), and NT + MOE groups, and orally treated for 56 days. At the end of the experiment, body and organ weights, epididymal sperm analysis, oxidative stress, hormone levels, and histopathological abnormalities were assessed. Nicotine administration results in a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, accompanied by a decrease in glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Consequently, NT decreases sperm quality and serum reproductive hormone levels, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), and distorts testicular tissue architecture. The oral administration of MOE caused a significant decrease in MDA concentration and an increase in the levels of antioxidant molecules (GSH, CAT, SOD) and serum reproductive hormones levels. Additionally, it improved sperm characteristics, including sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology and partial improvement to the histological architecture of the testis. Our findings imply that 400 mg/kg of Moringa oleifera leaves may be utilized to enhance reproductive parameters against NT-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats, with the primary mechanism attributed to its antioxidant properties.