Protective effects of lupeol on pesticides induced testicular and oxidative damage of male rats

Pesticides are used as insecticides in agriculture. Lupeol (LUP) is a dietary triterpene with antioxidant effects. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of LUP against testicular pesticides toxicity via histological and biochemical findings. Wistar albino rats were used. Control, corn oil, malathion (MAL), chlorpyrifos (CPF), tebuconazole (TEB), LUP, MAL + LUP, CPF + LUP, and TEB + LUP group. Control group rats were given physiological saline. Corn oil is used as a solvent in the preparation of pesticide agents. MAL 50 mg/kg, CPF 10 mg/kg, TEB 50 mg/kg (first 4 days) and 25 mg/kg (last 4 days), LUP 20 mg/kg were given via oral gavage. After 10 days, rats were dissected, and testes were taken for histological analysis. Oxidative stress parameters were determined spectrophotometrically in testicular tissue specimens. In the pesticide group, histological and biochemical damage score increased, morphological sperm smear defects were also detected. These defects were reversed upon the administration of LUP. LUP demonstrated an ameliorative effect on histopathological and biochemical parameters in pesticide induced testicular damage.