Antioxidant Efficiency of <i>Elettaria cardamomum</i> Essential Oil Against Benzo[a]Pyrene‐Induced Testicular Damage via Oxidative Stress Suppression and Modulation of Gene Expression in Rats

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is an environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon known to act as an endocrine disruptor. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a widely used spice with strong biological and antioxidant properties. The current work aimed to clarify the mechanism of action of cardamom essential oil (CEO) and explore its phytochemical components and protective benefits to reduce testicular damage caused by BaP. GC-MS analysis revealed that the CEO had several potent antioxidant and radical scavenging components. Male Wistar Dawley rats were classified into 4 groups (7 rats/group): negative control, CEO (100 mg/kg bw), positive control (BaP; 5 mg/kg bw), and CEO plus BaP, respectively. Rats were administered daily oral doses for 4 weeks. Rats exposed to BaP exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increases in testicular TBARS, serum aminotransferases, and acid phosphatase. This was accompanied by a decrease in body weight, reduced glutathione, antioxidant enzymes, and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities. Moreover, significant (p < 0.05) changes were observed in gene expression (Bax, Cas-3, Bcl-2, and Beclin-1), hormone levels (Testosterone, FSH, and LH), sperm quality, and histological structure. However, CEO pretreatment to BaP-intoxicated rats demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in most indices compared to the BaP-exposed group. Conclusively, phenolic and flavonoid components of CEO demonstrated a potent antioxidant activity against BaP toxicity.