Effect of Astragalus microcephalus wild extract and Vitamin E–Selenium combination on Cadmium–induced damage in rat ovaries

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of Astragalus (AST) extract alone and in combination with vitamin E (vit E) + selenium (Se) against the toxicity induced by cadmium (CdCl2) in rat ovaries. Thirty–six female Wistar rats were divided into six groups. AST was administered at a dose of 5 mg·kg-1, Cd at a dose of 2 mg·kg-1, and Vit E (60 mg·kg-1) + Se (1 mg·kg-1) orally for a duration of 15 days. The levels of MDA, GSH–Px, SOD, and CAT were analyzed in the blood and tissue samples to assess oxidative stress. Additionally, the levels of estrogen, FSH, LH, Inhibin B, and Antimullerian hormones were measured in the serum samples. The ovarian tissues were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically for 8–OhDG, Caspase 3, and LC3B immunoreactivity. In the group exposed to CdCl2, MDA levels significantly increased, while antioxidant parameters showed significant decreases (P<0.05). Although significant improvements were observed in the groups treated with AST alone, more significant improvements were seen in the groups treated with both AST and Vit E + Se (P<0.05). It was concluded that AST extracts alone and in combination with Vit E + Se exhibited protective effects against ovarian toxicity caused by Cd exposure and may be effective against metal toxicity.