Protective effects of commercial artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) leaf powder against aflatoxin B1-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is an unavoidable environmental pollutant frequently found in feed and foodstuffs and is considered the most toxic of all aflatoxins, known to impair testicular function. This study investigated the potential protective effect of artichoke leaves powder (ArLP) against the reproductive toxicity induced by AFB₁ in male rats. In a 42-day experiment, rats received either sterile water, 4% DMSO, ArLP (100 mg/kg/body weight), AFB₁ (72 µg/kg/body weight), or a combination of ArLP and AFB₁ via oral gavage. AFB₁ exposure led to increased oxidative stress, abnormal sperm parameters, hormonal disturbances, elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and histopathological damage in the testes. Co-administration of ArLP with AFB₁ significantly mitigated these adverse effects, with most parameters approaching values observed in the control groups. These findings suggest that oral administration of ArLP exerts a protective effect against AFB₁-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats and support its potential use in mitigating toxin-related reproductive damage.