Suspected Protective Effect of Eruca Sativa Leaves Extract on Sperm Abnormalities in Male Albino Mice Treated with Hypericum triqutrifolium aqueous crude extract

Abstract

   This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Eruca sativa on the cytotoxic effect of Hypericum triquetrifolium on sperm abnormalities in albino mice. Leaves of E. sativa and aerial parts of H. triquetrifolium were dried in shade and grinded and their aqueous extracts were used for the treatments to study their effect on sperm morphology. Treated groups were injected with a single dose of 38 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Hypericum subcutaneously, while the Eruca groups were orally administered with 250 mg/kg BW twice/week for 2 weeks. After the exposure of H. triquetrifolium, the frequency of abnormal sperms showed a highly significant induction of sperm abnormalities; separated head from tail sperms, swollen head, hookless, defective head, and hook. However, the Eruca group showed no obvious abnormalities in sperm morphology, while in cotreatment with both Eruca and Hypericum (H/E) groups, there was an extremely significant decrease (P < 0.0001) in the abnormal sperms. In conclusion, it appeared that E. sativa could prevent or at least minimize the damages that Hypericum toxins would make on the sperm morphology significantly.