EVALUATION OF THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AVOCADO PEEL EXTRACT

ABSTRACT

Environmental pollution with heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) poses a significant threat to human health, with a particular concern for their adverse effects on reproductive organs, including the testes. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of avocado peel extract (APE) against testicular oxidative damage induced by co-toxicity of lead and cadmium. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, Pb+Cd, Pb+Cd+APE, and APE alone. The Pb+Cd group was exposed to a combination of lead acetate and cadmium chloride via oral administration for 6 weeks, while the Pb+Cd+APE group received both metals and APE concurrently. The APE alone group was treated solely with APE, and the control group received no treatment. Our results demonstrated that co-exposure to lead and cadmium significantly increased testicular oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH), while decreasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, co-toxicity of Pb and Cd led to histopathological alterations in the testicular tissues, including seminiferous tubule damage and disruption of spermatogenesis. However, supplementation with APE in the Pb+Cd+APE group ameliorated these effects significantly. APE administration restored the levels of MDA and GSH and enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. Additionally, histological examinations revealed marked improvements in testicular tissue integrity and seminiferous tubule morphology. In conclusion, our study suggests that avocado peel extract possesses protective properties against testicular oxidative damage induced by the co-toxicity of lead and cadmium. These findings highlight the potential use of APE as a natural antioxidant and cytoprotective agent in mitigating the harmful effects of heavy metal exposure on male reproductive health. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific bioactive compounds response.