Ameliorative Capacity of Rice Husk Extract on Codeine-induced Testicular Dysfunction in Male Wistar Albino Rats

Rice husks (RHs) is an agro waste generated from rice production with limited application. Codeine belongs to the numerous drugs of abuse worldwide and its impact on reproductive injury has been reported. This study was designed to establish the ameliorative potential of brown rice husk extract (RHE) against reproductive damage induced by codeine misuse. Experimental rats were grouped into six groups with six rats per group: Group I received only rat chow and clean water for 30 days. Group II received only codeine 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w) of rats. Group III received only RHE 500 mg/kg b.w of rats. The 4th, 5th and 6th groups received codeine 10 mg/kg/b.w alongside 250 mg, 500 mg and 1000 mg RHE, respectively. Treatments (RHE and codeine) were administered once during the early hours between 9-10 am daily for 30 days, the animals were sacrificed, and blood and tissue samples were harvested. Male reproductive hormones such as testosterone, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and sperm quality parameters were assayed. The testis tissues were excised and examined for histopathological changes. The result revealed that high dose codeine administration significantly decreased epidermal morphology, motility, and sperm count as well as testosterone, FSH, and LH concentrations, respectively. The histopathological examination revealed distinct abnormal changes in the codeine control group when compared with the other experimental groups. RHE administration  significantly improved the altered assayed  parameters.