Potential Role of Ashwagandha [Withania Somnifera] As An Antioxidant On Aluminium Chloride-Induced Testicular Damage In Wistar Rats

Introduction: Aluminium is most prevalent and third most abundant element in earth crust after oxygen. Its exposure in high concentration can accumulate in many organs that damage various organs in living organisms like humans and animals. Although aluminum (Al) is known to induce oxidative damage through various mechanisms including binding to negatively charged phospholipids on the membrane of various tissue cell which are rich in PUFA.Hence,this study was aimed to find the potential role of ashwagandha on aluminum induced testicular toxicity. Methods: Animals were segregated into 4 groups of 6 rats in each. The control group, the Ashwagandha treated group, the Aluminum intoxicated group, pretreated with Ashwagandha with Aluminum intoxicity group. Testicular tissue was removed and were stored in 10% formalin saline and histopathological slides were done . A part of the tissues were processed for estimation of MDA and GSH level. Results: In the present study administration of aluminum in rats showed a significant decrease in the testicular tissue level of GSH and sperm count, as well as increase in the level of MDA and sperm morphology in aluminum treated group compared to normal control. Treatment with Ashwagandha showed a significant increase in testicular GSH level, sperm count and decrease in MDA level sperm morphology. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that oral Aluminum Chloride administration induced adverse oxidative effects on the exposed animals and treatment with W. somnifera reduced the extent of aluminium chloride-induced tissue injury