Protective effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) hydro-alcoholic extract against paraquat-induced reproductive...

Paraquat (PQ), a commonly used herbicide, is known to induce male reproductive toxicity through oxidative stress. This study evaluated the protective effects of saffron hydroalcoholic extract (SFE) against PQ-induced testicular damage in adult male mice.

Thirty male BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to six groups (n=5) including control, saffron extract (80 mg/kg/day; SFE), PQ (20 mg/kg/day; PQ20), PQ (40 mg/kg/day; PQ40), PQ20 + SFE80, and PQ40 + SFE80. Treatments were administered orally for 30 days. After the treatment period, the mice were euthanized, and parameters such as testosterone concentration, sperm quality, gonadosomatic index (GSI), antioxidant enzyme activity, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes were analyzed. Additionally, histopathological evaluation of testicular tissue was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

PQ significantly reduced body weight, testicular weight, GSI, sperm count, viability, motility, and normal morphology compared to the control group. Furthermore, the PQ20+SFE80 and PQ40 + SFE80 groups exhibited a significant decrease in catalase (CAT) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), serum testosterone levels, and histological indexes. However, co-treatment with SFE significantly mitigated these effects. Compared to the PQ-only groups, mice treated with both PQ and SFE exhibited significant improvements in sperm parameters, restored antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT and TAC), normalized serum testosterone levels, and preserved testicular histology.

Saffron extract exerts protective effects against PQ-induced reproductive toxicity by enhancing antioxidant defenses, hormonal regulation, and preserving testicular integrity and apoptotic status.