The Protective Role of Extract of Allium cepa Linn. (Liliaceae) (Red Onion) Bulb in Artesunate-induced Testicular Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Aim: Allium cepa is consumed fresh or cooked in Nigeria and used as herb in ethnomedicinal practice against many ailments. The aqueous extract is used in the management of prostrate inflammation, alleviation of low sperm count and testicular damage related disorders in ethno medicine and folkloric medicine in the South-east regions of Nigeria. This study investigates the protective role of extract of Allium cepa bulb on spermatogenesis and testicular oxidative stress in male rats using Artesunate as testicular damage and oxidative stress inducing agent. Study Design and Methodology: The design consisted of 5 groups of 10 male Wistar rats (140-180g) each. Groups 1, 2, 3 and 5 were given continuous oral challenge with 4.4mg/kgb. w Artesunate orally for two weeks to induce testicular damage. Animals were treated with 50, 150 and 300mg/kgb. w extract for 7 weeks. Groups 4 and 5 were not treated and served as normal and negative controls respectively. Animals were humanely euthanized, testes collected, homogenized and used for sperm count, motility and oxidative stress evaluation. Results: Artesunate mediated testicular damage caused a significant (p<0.01) reduction in sperm count (17.5 +/- 2.4x10(6) ml/l) compared to normal control (140X10(6) ml/l). Extract treatment of groups 1, 2 and 3 caused a dose-dependent reversal of sperm count, motility and morphology after 7 weeks. Treatment with the highest dose (300 mg/kg) of the extract reversed testicular oxidative induced lesions as shown by levels of enzymatic antioxidants; CAT (10.112 +/- 1.73 mu g/mg), SOD (39.41 +/- 2.35 mu g/mg) and GPx (0.55 +/- 0.17nmol/mg) and non-enzymatic antioxidants; MDA (0.98 +/- 0.05nmol/mg) and GSH (2.17 +/- 0.05mg) relative to normal control, respectively. Conclusion: These results demonstrated the potential beneficial effects of Allium cepa in the management of prostrate inflammation and testicular lesions.