Evaluation of the Therapeutic properties of Celtis occidentalis Methanolic Extract against Acetaminophen- Induced Ovarian and Testicular Toxicity and Hormonal Imbalances in Albino Rats

Abstract

Paracetamol (PCM) is prevailingly used as analgesic and antipyretic drug. This study aimed the investigation of noxious effect of paracetamol on testes, adrenal glands and ovary and the medicinal importance of the Celtis occidentalis leaves. Pair of experiments were performed simultaneously using 60 rats of both sexes for 21 days kept in separate cages, each with five groups and six individual (n=6) in a single group. Control group; untreated, PCM (paracetamol 2g/kg) administered group, E-group (extract 200 mg/kg only) treated, EP-1 and EP-2 (extract and PCM co-administered groups-100mg/kg & 300mg/kg) respectively. At day 21st each group animals of the paired experiment were dissected and blood sample was collected for serum analysis. For male animal’s serum cortisol and serum testosterone level was examined in each group animals. Similarly the serum 17-β Estradiol and serum cortisol level was recorded for female animals in each experimental group. At the same time gonads (testes and ovaries) were collected from the paired experimental group’s individual and were observed for any physiological and histological alterations. Results of the paired experiment showed that the paracetamol actively raised the serum cortisol level in individuals of both sexes with prominent decline in serum testosterone (in male) and serum estradiol (in female). The level of the aforementioned serum cortisol level was vigorously reduced in both sexes individuals group and enhanced the serum testosterone and serum estradiol levels in extract treated groups more prominently in high dose administered groups of the paired experiment. The testes morphology in the paracetamol treated groups was severely altered. Treatment with paracetamol causes severe degeneration and disorganization of the seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, disappearance of the spermatozoa and spermatids, reduction in primary and secondary spermatocytes numbers, accumulation of the collagen fibers and the enlargement of the luminal face. The ovaries morphological structure was also altered vigorously in paracetamol treated group. The treatment caused prominent reduction in follicular cells, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the corpus luteum, cellular vacuolation and elongation, filling of cytoplasm with whitish fluid and degeneration of the primordial follicles. The adrenal glands of both sexes were analyzed in experimental animals in paired experiments. Adrenal tissues of the PCM group were observed with hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Due to over secretion of cortisol change the morphological shape of the adrenal tissues and appearance of whitish spots in cytoplasm. The degenerated cells and whitish cytoplasmic spots were actively ameliorated in EP- 1 and EP-2. The aforesaid testicular, ovarian, and adrenal gland histo-physiological abnormalities were prominently recovered and regenerated in plant extract treated groups (100mg/kg & 300mg/kg) of both paired experiments. It is to be concluded that the methanolic extract of the Celtis occidentalis leaves have biologically strong phytoconstituents that actively recovered the paracetamol testicular and ovarian toxicity in rats