Plant Extracts with Antioxidant Properties Ameliorate Lead Toxicity in Rats' Testes

Lead acetate (LA) as one of lead form with high rate of production and distribution causing sever oxidative hazardous effects. Evaluation the role of plant extracts in amelioration the oxidative burden on human health is a global scientific interest. Aqueous extracts of Sonchus oleraceus and Malva parviflora plants were examined for their protection role against lead toxicity. The animals were divided into four groups, the first group (control) received distilled water; group 2 received LA (60 mg.kg-1 body weight); group 3 received LA with Sonchus oleraceus extract (500 mg kg-1day-1); group 4 received LA with Malva parviflora extract (500 mg kg-1day-1). Exposure to LA led to significant reduction in sperm properties as sperm count, mobility, viability and increasing in sperm abnormalities. Histological analysis of testes tissues revealed that rats treated with LA showed several deleterious effects associated with LA exposure. Adding of Sonchus oleraceus and Malva Parviflora extracts to treated rats with LA caused a significant improvement in sperm properties as well as recovery of histological feature of testes tissue to normal form. Obtained results indicate to the antioxidant capability of Sonchus oleraceus and Malva parviflora extracts to ameliorate the oxidative effects of LA on male sperm proprieties and tests tissue of male rats.