Open Access
Research (Published online: 09-11-2022)
3. Aqueous extract of bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) ameliorates testicular toxicity induced by aluminum chloride in rats
Ayodeji O. Falade, Kayode E. Adewole, Abdul-Rahman O. Adekola, Hilary A. Ikokoh, Kunle Okaiyeto, and Oluwafemi O. Oguntibeju
Veterinary World, 15(11): 2525-2534

Ayodeji O. Falade: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo 351101, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Kayode E. Adewole: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo 351101, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Abdul-Rahman O. Adekola: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo 351101, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Hilary A. Ikokoh: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo 351101, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Kunle Okaiyeto: Phytomedicine and Phytochemistry Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
Oluwafemi O. Oguntibeju: Phytomedicine and Phytochemistry Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.2525-2534

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Article history: Received: 20-05-2022, Accepted: 23-09-2022, Published online: 09-11-2022

Corresponding author: Ayodeji O. Falade

E-mail: ayodeji.falade@yahoo.com

Citation: Falade AO, Adewole KE, Adekola AO, Ikokoh HA, Okaiyeto K, and Oguntibeju OO (2022) Aqueous extract of bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) ameliorates testicular toxicity induced by aluminum chloride in rats, Veterinary World, 15(11): 2525–2534.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Human exposure to aluminum is inevitable, and one of the most adverse health effects of aluminum is a decrease in male fertility rates. Therefore, this study investigated the ameliorative effects of an aqueous extract from Laurus nobilis-bay leaf (BL) on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6, each group): The control (group 1) received normal saline; Group 2 animals were intraperitoneally administered with 30 mg/kg body weight (BW) AlCl3; and Groups 3 and 4 were co-administered AlCl3 with 125 or 250 mg/kg BW of BL extract, respectively, for 21 days. Testes, epididymis, and blood samples were collected. Testicular plasma enzyme activity was measured using a spectrophotometric assay, while concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results: There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in testicular enzyme activity in the group treated with AlCl3. However, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in testicular enzyme activity in groups co-administered AlCl3 and BL extract as compared with that in control. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in testicular nitrite concentration in the AlCl3-treated group, whereas the administration of BL extract significantly (p < 0.05) decreased nitrite concentration in Groups 3 and 4. Furthermore, the administration of BL extracts increased sperm count and improved the morphology of the testes in AlCl3-treated rats. Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, tannin, glycosides, saponin, anthraquinones, and steroids were identified in BL extract, with alkaloids and glycosides being the most abundant.

Conclusion: Aqueous extract from BL ameliorated the toxic effect of AlCl3 and exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting nitrite production while improving sperm count and morphology in AlCl3-treated rats. The bioactivity of the extract may be attributed to the presence of a wide range of phytochemicals. Therefore, BL aqueous extract could be a promising source of novel compounds with male fertility-promoting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory property, reproductive toxicology, sperm parameters, spices, testicular enzymes.