Role of Tongkat Ali extract in protecting testicular function and sperm DNA integrity in cadmium-exposed albino male rats

Cadmium is a widespread environmental pollutant known to impair male reproductive health through oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, and DNA damage. Natural agents with antioxidative and protective properties are increasingly investigated as potential countermeasures. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in male rats. Forty adult male rats were randomly assigned into four groups (10 rats per group): a control group, a cadmium-only group, a Tongkat Ali-only group, and a group receiving cadmium co-administered with Tongkat Ali. The study evaluated testicular antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation, sperm quality parameters, serum testosterone levels, and the sperm DNA fragmentation index (%DFI). Cadmium exposure significantly reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities by over 58%, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 2.7-fold, and increased %DFI to 45.6%, indicating severe oxidative and genotoxic damage. Co-treatment with Tongkat Ali restored antioxidant status, reducing MDA by 44.9% and recovering SOD and GPx activities to 80.3% and 85.9% of control values, respectively. Tongkat Ali also mitigated testosterone suppression, improved sperm count, motility, and morphology, and reduced %DFI by 59.6%. Importantly, Tongkat Ali maintained normal testicular function under non-toxic conditions, confirming its safety profile.The findings affirm its potential as a natural therapeutic agent against environmental reproductive stressors, particularly heavy metals like cadmium. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its mechanisms and clinical applications in male reproductive health.