Ameliorative potentials of a combination of fenugreek and alpha-tocopherol on cadmium induced testicular toxicity: an ultrastructural study

Abstract

Background: The current study aimed to elucidate the protective role of combined fenugreek and a-tocopherol against cadmium induced histopathological changes in the testes.

Materials and methods: Thirty adult male albino rats divided into three equal groups 10 rats each. Group I is the control group. Group II received 5 mg/kg/ day cadmium chloride. Group III received 5 mg/kg/day cadmium chloride and 150 mg/kg/day fenugreek and 100 mg/kg/day of a-tocopherol. The treatment of all groups was done by oral gavage for 60 consecutive days. The testes were removed and subjected to histopathological and ultrastructure study.

Results: Rats exposed to cadmium showed severe histopathological changes in the testicular spermatogenic series, many vacuoles and multinucleated giant cells. Treatment with fenugreek and a-tocopherol partially improved the morphological changes, reduced tissue damage and rebuilt of the spermatogonia layer.

Conclusions: Fenugreek and a-tocopherol might represent a promising medicinal combination to ameliorate the toxic effects of cadmium exposure.