Effect of Lemon peel extract mediated gold nanoparticles on hematobiochemical and sperm parameter alterations in lead- arsenic induced combined exposure in male rats

Gold was used in the vedic era in India to enhance strength, potency and to combat the aging process in humans. It is one of the few metals which can be used at nano scale due to its resistance to oxidation. Considering the biological activity of gold, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Lemon peel extract gold Nanoparticals (LPGNP) on As + Pb induced reproductive toxicity in rats. In present study twenty-four wistar rats were divided into four groups, group I served as control, group II, III, IV received co-exposure of Sodium Arsenate 13.8mg/kg and Lead acetate 116.4 mg/kg, p.o. daily for 14 days, followed by oral administration of LPGNP @10 and 20 mg/kg, to group III and IV, respectively for 6 weeks. At the end of experiment hematology, reproductive parameters and histopathology of testes was studied. The findings of study revealed significant alteration in hematobiochemical parameters, serum testosterone concentration, sperm motility, total sperm count and sperm viability in rats received As-Pb exposure whereas LPGNP administration caused marked improvement in reproductive parameters. In histopathology of testis, As + Pb caused degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules, and sloughing of spermatogenic cells. In LPGNP treated rats, minimal histopathological alterations were observed in testis. In conclusion LPGNP caused significant improvement in biochemical and sperm parameters and testosterone level in As + Pb induced reproductive toxicity in rats.