Protective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Aloe Vera Supplemented by Zinc on the Testis of Wistar Albino Rats Exposed to Cadmium

Abstract

Infertility is a major health concern that may be caused due to inadequate fertility hormones or poor quality of reproductive parameters. The environmental pollutants such as cadmium is one of the causative factors for inducing infertility in men. Cadmium accumulates in various tissues and affects reproductive organs, especially testis which is highly sensitive to cadmium poisoning. In this experiment, protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) of Aloe vera with and without zinc has been evaluated. Zinc, protects the testes from damages resulting due to cadmium. Aloe vera is a very good source of antioxidants such as vitamin C and E. In this experiment male Wistar albino rats were grouped into 5. The control group received only the vehicle. Experimental groups were administered in Cd group with 10mg/Kg body weight of CdCl₂, in Cd+Zn group 40mg/Kg body weight of CdCl₂ and 40mg/Kg bodyweight of ZnCl₂, in Cd+AV group 10mg/Kg body weight of CdCl₂ and 200mg/Kg body weight of HAE of Aloe vera and in Cd+AV+Zn 10mg/Kg body weight of CdCl₂, 200mg/Kg body weight of HAE of Aloe vera and 40mg/Kg bodyweight of ZnCl_2. The results showed that cadmium caused extensive testicular damage which was protected by HAE of Aloe vera and zinc. Hence, protective effect of HAE of Aloe vera was exhibited clearly in cadmium treated rats, however, supplementing Aloe vera with zinc provided better protection.