Mechanistic insights into the protective role of <i>Senna occidentalis</i> extract in mitigating sodium arsenite-induced testicular toxicity

Sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂), a common environmental pollutant, negatively affects male fertility by impairing spermatogenesis, disrupting hormones, and inducing oxidative stress in testicular tissue. This study evaluated the protective effect of <i>Senna occidentalis</i> aqueous leaf extract (SOLAq) against NaAsO₂-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. Twenty-five rats were randomly assigned to the five groups: Group 1 served as the control. Group 2 received NaAsO₂ (5 mg/kg) daily. Treatment groups 3 and 4 received a single daily dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of SOLAq + NaAsO₂ (5 mg/kg), respectively. Group 5 received Silymarin (50 mg/kg) + 5 mg/kg of NaAsO₂. All treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Rat treated with only NaAsO₂ had a significant decrease (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in sperm concentration, motility, and viability besides a significant increase in immotile and morphologically abnormal spermatozoa and an increase in the MDA level together with a significant decrease in CAT, SOD, and GSH activity. Also, NaAsO₂ suppresses hormonal levels of FSH, LH and testosterone and affects testicular histopathological alterations. SOLAq co-treatment alleviated these effects by enhancing the antioxidant status, improving the sperm characteristics, normalizing hormonal profile, and maintaining testicular tissue structure in a dose-dependent manner.