THE POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF JANECHUKS MIXED SPICES ON THE TESTES OF MALE WISTER RAT EXPOSED TO CADMIUM REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY
Abstract
Infertility remains a global health challenge, with male factor infertility often linked to environmental toxicants such as cadmium, a heavy metal known to impair spermatogenesis and testicular function through oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis. In response to the limitations and side effects of conventional therapies, research attention has increasingly shifted toward herbal formulations with antioxidant and fertility-promoting properties. This study investigated the potential therapeutic effect of Janechuks Mixed Spice (JMS) herbal tea on the testes of male Wistar rats exposed to cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity. Thirty (30) adult male Wistar rats were purchased, acclimatized for 14 days and randomly assigned into six groups of five (5) animals each. Group A (control) received normal saline; Group B received cadmium only; Groups C–E received cadmium plus low, medium, and high doses of JMS extract, respectively; and Group F received cadmium plus vitamin C. Treatments were administered for 21 days experimental period, body weight was monitored weekly. At the end of experimental period, the animals were sacrificed and histological features of the testes were evaluated after tissue processing and staining with H & E. Results showed group A (control) had normal cytoarchitecture, cadmium exposure (Group B) caused severe germ-cell loss, Leydig cell depletion, and reduced body weight. Low dose of JMS (Group C) conferred partial protection against cadmium-induced testicular injury. Moderate-dose JMS (Group D) conferred the strongest protection, restoring seminiferous tubule architecture, sperm maturation, and body weight. In contrast, high-dose JMS provided only partial recovery. Vitamin C afforded moderate protection but did not fully restore spermatogenesis. In conclusion, JMS exhibited dose-dependent therapeutic effects against cadmium-induced testicular damage, with the moderate dose proving most effective.
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