Basella alba, Grewia asiatica, Solanum nigrum and Ficus carica fruit extracts ameliorate the testicular histopathology induced by CCl(4) exposure in albino mice: An experimental study

BACKGROUND: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl [Formula: see text] ) is extensively used in various industries and induces oxidative stress in humans. Unfortunately, it is one of the neglected potent male reproductive toxicants. OBJECTIVE: The present research reports the testicular histopathology of CCl [Formula: see text] and ameliorations by four medicinal fruit pulp extracts (FPEs) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male albino mice were divided into six groups (10/group) as per the following: 1. Vehicle control (Vc); 2. CCl [Formula: see text] (C); 3-6. CCl [Formula: see text] +Basella alba (CBa), CCl [Formula: see text] +Solanum nigrum (CSn), CCl [Formula: see text] +Ficus carica (CFc) and CCl [Formula: see text] +Grewia asiatica (CGa). Except for the control group, CCl [Formula: see text] (0.1 mL of 0.2 mL kg [Formula: see text] ) was given to the animals in corn oil. The four plant extracts (0.1 mL each) were respectively given to the relevant FPE group animals for the next five consecutive days, while the animals in the Vc and CCl [Formula: see text] groups received water instead of FPE. RESULTS: The CCl [Formula: see text] exposure led to various histometric and histological alterations (loss of interstitial tissue and various dislodged tailless spermatids with enlarged heads) that were recovered in all except Solanum nigrum FPE mice post-treatment. The micrometric data of testicular sections also indicated significant decline in the number of spermatogonia, while the cross-sectional area of the sperm heads remained significantly higher in the CSn and C groups. CONCLUSION: Except for Solanum nigrum,the three FPEs, especially Ficus carica,showed rehabilitative properties against CCl [Formula: see text] exposure-related modifications in testicular histopathologies.