Modulatory Effects of Chrysin on Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Testicular Injury in Rats

Chrysin (CHR), 5,7-dihydroxyflavone, is a natural flavonoid found in many plant extracts possessing multiple medicinal effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to verify the protective role of CHR on testicular and hepatic injury induced by cadmium (Cd). Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were given CdCl₂ (3 mg/kg, ip) for 5 days and CHR effect was evaluated using two doses (75 and 150 mg/kg/orally). Administration of CHR showed ameliorative effects against both testicular and hepatic injury. It increased sperm quality and testosterone levels, in addition to the improvement of the integrity of blood-testes barrier by decreasing Cathepsin-D and increasing the regenerated potentials of SDF-1. Moreover, administration of CHR significantly increased SOD activity and GSH contents as well as decreased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and attenuated NOx and MPO levels in both hepatic and testicular tissues. In addition, CHR significantly mitigated Cd-induced increase in pro-inflammatory transcriptional factor NF-κB, the inflammasome pathway NLRP3/IL-1β, ER stress (IRE-1) and caspase-3 apoptotic marker in both liver and testes. In conclusion, the results of this study specify that testicular and liver damage related to Cd toxicity could be improved by CHR administration.