Protective Effects of Basella rubra Against Fluoridated Pyrethroid Insecticide Induced Reproductive Health Toxicity in Mice.

Purpose: The present research work was designed to explore the effects of Bifenthrin (BF) and Lambda-Cyhalothrin (Lct) (fluorinated type II pyrethroid) insecticides on testicular histopathologies and their amelioration on the posttreatment of Basella rubra extract (Br). Methods: Sixty male albino mice were divided into six groups (n=10) as follow: 1: Control group (CO) received 0.1mL corn oil on day 1 & 2, no treatment (day 3) and drinking water (day 4-6) through gavage; 2: Basella rubra group (Br) were given Br extract on day 1 & 2, no treatment (day 3) and drinking water (day 4-6); 3,4:Bifenthrin (BF) and Lambda-Cyhalothrin (Lct) were treated with their respective 5mg/kg insecticides dissolved in CO on day 1 & 2, no treatment (day 3) and drinking water (day 4-6); 5,6: Lct+Br and BF+Br were given respective insecticides on day 1 & 2, no treatment (day 3) and Br (day 4-6). Both testes were excised on euthanasia and processed on day 7th. Results: Both insecticide-exposed groups (BF and Lct) had extensive damage to seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues. Empty spaces in the tubules and interstitial tissues, wavy borders of the tubules, decrease in spermatids with immature spermatozoa, and demaged spermatogonia was also observed in both insecticides treated groups. Simultaneously, the mean cross sectional area of seminiferous tubules also showed significant (p<0.05) increase in Lct and BF than CO and Br groups. Altogether, results demonstrated that BF and Lct causes detrimental effects on testes and may influence fertilization, decrease spermatids and spermatozoa and in Lct and Bf respectively as compared to CO, and damaged spermatogonia were observed. Conclusions: Based upon these findings it is concluded that BF and Lct exposure cause alterations in testicular histology that can be rescued through Br treatment indicating the importance of Basella rubra fruit in male reproductive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]