Gonadoprotective potential of Taraxacum officinale on testicular tissue damage induced by cadmium chloride

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

2 Department of Biological Chemistry, School of General Medicine – 1, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

3 Department of Anatomy With Physiology Courses, Kazakh-Russian Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

10.22124/cjes.2025.8910

Abstract

This study explored the protective effects of ethanolic extract of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) against testicular tissue damage induced by cadmium chloride in male Wistar rats, with particular relevance to the high environmental and occupational exposure to cadmium in industrialized regions of Kazakhstan and its detrimental impact on male reproductive health. A total of 48 rats were randomly assigned to eight groups: a control group, an extract control group, a cadmium group (receiving 2 mg kg-1 intraperitoneally), and groups receiving either pretreatment or simultaneous treatment with the extract at doses of 50, 100, or 200 mg kg-1 via oral gavage. Over a 28-day intervention period, a comprehensive assessment was conducted, including measurements of body and testicular weights, evaluation of oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH), analysis of sex hormone levels (testosterone, FSH, LH), and histopathological examination of testicular tissue. The results revealed that cadmium exposure led to a marked reduction in testicular weight (by 35.5%), a substantial increase in MDA levels (3.2-fold), significant decreases in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD by 64.7%, CAT by 61.6%), a pronounced drop in serum testosterone (by 71.6%), and severe histological damage characterized by reduced seminiferous tubule diameter and a low Johnson score (4.3). Notably, administration of dandelion extract, particularly as a pretreatment at 200 mg kg-1, resulted in significant improvements: testicular weight recovered by 93.4%, MDA levels decreased by 62.1%, SOD activity increased by 89.8%, testosterone levels rose by 88.6%, and testicular tissue integrity was largely preserved (Johnson score: 8.9). Strong correlations were observed between reductions in MDA and increases in testosterone (r = -0.873), as well as improvements in Johnson score (r = +0.902). Furthermore, the pretreatment protocol demonstrated a 6-8% advantage over concurrent treatment in key parameters. These findings underscore the potent gonadoprotective effects of the T. officinale extract, primarily through its antioxidant properties, maintenance of hormonal homeostasis, and prevention of cellular damage. Given the widespread availability of dandelion in Kazakhstan, standardized extracts of this plant could serve as a promising natural preventive strategy for populations at heightened risk of cadmium exposure.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 3
July 2025
Pages 595-603

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