Effect of <i>Malva neglecta</i> Wallr. extract on infertility caused by CdCl2 in Wistar male rats

Background: Malva neglecta is a commonly used medicinal plant known for its content of tannins, hydroxycinnamic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, anthocyanins, and flavonols.Objective: The objective of this research was to assess the effects of M. neglecta extract on male rat infertility.Methods: Forty adult male rats were divided into eight groups.The M. neglecta extract was administered daily for 28 days.At the conclusion of the treatment period, all animals were anesthetized with ether.Following euthanasia, dissection was performed, and sperm morphology, viability, and motility were assessed in the epididymis.The right testis was subjected to histological analysis after tissue processing and H/E staining, with cell counts conducted under a light microscope.The left testis was examined for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) enzyme levels.Results: Sperm analysis showed a significant improvement in viability, motility, and concentration in the infertile groups treated with M. neglecta extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg.SOD enzyme levels were notably higher in the experimental groups receiving the extract, surpassing those of the healthy control group.Furthermore, increasing the extract dosage led to a rise in SOD production within the infertile groups.MDA levels, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were lower in the experimental groups compared to the control group, with the MDA concentration nearly identical to that of the healthy controls.This suggests that M. neglecta extract significantly reduced lipid peroxidation.Conclusion: The findings indicate that M. neglecta extract has a notable positive effect on spermatogenesis, sperm viability, motility, and concentration, particularly under oxidative stress conditions.