Protective Efficacy of Garlic Essential Oil on Testicular Biochemical Markers in Lead Nitrate-Treated Swiss Albino Male Mice
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This research examined the potential of garlic bulb essential oil to safeguard male Swiss albino mice from the adverse effects of lead nitrate on their testicular health. Lead nitrate, an environmental toxin, was given via oral route at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, with distilled water as the solvent. Based on previous research, two doses of garlic essential oil (GBEO) were selected: 50 and 80 milligrams per kilogram body weight of the mice were administered orally along with carrier olive oil as low and high-dose treatment groups. The treatment period lasted for 30 days, with GBEO, silymarin, and olive oil administered from day 12 alongside continued lead nitrate exposure. The results demonstrated that the high dose of GBEO effectively mitigated lead-induced alterations in total protein content, and reversed elevated levels of AST, ALT, total cholesterol, and ALP, showing comparable efficacy with silymarin. The low dose of GBEO provided partial protection, while olive oil alone was found to be ineffective. The antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and metal-chelating properties of GBEO, particularly in synergy with olive oil, offer a natural and potent treatment strategy for heavy metal-induced testicular damage. These results could help for developing the way for developing new, natural therapies to combat lead toxicity and other forms of heavy metal poisoning, thus enhancing the clinical relevance and effectiveness of GBEO in protecting reproductive health against environmental toxins. In conclusion, garlic essential oil demonstrates protective efficacy in mitigating lead nitrate-induced testicular toxicity in Swiss albino male mice, likely due to its potent antioxidant properties. Major Findings: Our study demonstrates that high-dose garlic essential oil (GBEO) is as effective as silymarin in counteracting Lead-induced testicular toxicity, significantly restoring total protein levels and normalizing AST, ALT, total cholesterol, and ALP levels. While the low dose provided partial protection, olive oil alone was ineffective. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of high-dose GBEO as a promising agent against Lead toxicity, underscoring the need for dose optimization to ensure safe and effective clinical applications. Further research into GBEO’s antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and metal-chelating effects, particularly its synergy with olive oil, could lead to potent natural therapies for heavy metal-induced reproductive toxicity, advancing GBEO as a clinically relevant treatment for safeguarding reproductive health from environmental toxins.
Authors: Tanya Aggarwal, Veena Sharma
Institution: Banasthali University
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411034377