Exploring the protective effects of ethanolic extract of Chenopodium quinoa seed (quinoa) on the reproductive alterations of BPA-exposed females in vivo: a preliminary study

Bisphenol A (BPA), an organic synthetic compound and a potential endocrine disruptor, significantly impacts the reproductive system. Chenopodium quinoa, a superfood with potent antioxidant properties, was investigated for its therapeutic role in mitigating BPA-induced reproductive impairment in female rats. The present study involved four groups of Wistar albino rats: control (vehicle-treated), positive control (quinoa ethanolic extract, QEE-treated at 400 mg/kg/BW), BPA (treated at 100 mg/kg/BW), and BPA + QEE (treated with BPA 100 mg/kg/BW and QEE 400 mg/kg/BW) groups. Over 4 weeks, daily vaginal smears were collected, and serum reproductive hormones, ovarian steroidogenic enzymes, ovarian receptors, antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory and apoptotic markers, and ovarian histomorphology were assessed. The findings indicated that QEE had corrective effects on BPA-induced ovarian damage, as established by improved estrous cyclicity, reduced atretic follicles, normalized serum estrogen and progesterone levels, and restored ovarian ER-α, 3β-HSD, and aromatase expression. Additionally, ovarian oxidative stress was controlled, as shown by increased SOD, catalase, and GPx levels, along with decreased ovarian lipid peroxidation and serum LDH. Rectification in inflammatory and apoptotic markers (TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-6, p53, Bcl-2, and BAX) was also detected following quinoa coadministration in BPA-fed rats. The phytochemicals in quinoa seeds, including gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, and resorcinol, likely contributed to correcting ER signaling, reducing oxidative stress, and protecting ovarian tissue from degenerative changes. These findings strongly support the potential therapeutic effect of quinoa seeds against BPA-induced reproductive impairment in the female reproductive system.