Abstract

Antioxidant Protective Effect of Malva sylvestris on Vanadium Induced Testicular Oxidative Stress in Male Wistar Rats

Author(s): Ahlem Soussia, Manel Gargouria*, Wafa Marouanea and Abdelfattah El Fekia

Vanadium can affect the reproductive functions of male rats. Many medicinal plants especially Malva sylvestris, rich in phenolic compounds, possess antioxidant properties. Eighty rats were exposed to ammonium metavanadate (0.24 mmol/kg body weight in drinking water) for 90 days. Chronic vanadium intoxication induced a low body weight gain. Testis histological examination revealed atrophy of seminiferous tubules and defects of spermatogenesis. Spermatozoa disappeared. Lipid peroxidation level and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were examined in testis. Chronic vanadium intoxication induced a low body weight gain. Testis histological examination revealed atrophy of seminiferous tubules and defects of spermatogenesis. Spermatozoa disappeared. Lipid per-oxidation was significantly increased but no significant change in antioxidant enzyme activities was shown. In vanadium-treated rats given Malva sylvestris decoction, no such pathological features were observed. Our results revealed that Malva sylvestris, rich in phenolic compounds, possess a high anti-oxidative potential.