Cyperus esculentus Ameliorates Cadmium Chloride Induced Testicular Toxicity in Male Rats Following Male Reproductive Hormone, Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Analysis

Background: Cyperus esculentus has been reported to mitigate testicular dysfunction associated with lead and salt diet. However, it is not known if it can mitigate or protect the testis from cadmium toxicity. This research seeks to ascertain the ameliorating effect of Cyperus esculentus on cadmium induced toxicity in male rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty animals divided into 4 groups were used for this research (n=5). The groups were Control (NC), Cadmium (CD), Cadmium+Quercetin (CD+QZ) and Cadmium+Extract (CD+CE). After 1 week acclimatization, animals were administered CdCl2 (5 mg/kg b.w.) and/or hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus (C.E extract) (1000 mg/kg b.w.) and quercetin (2 mg/kg) once daily for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and serum collected for analysis. Results: Pro-inflammatory biomarkers (TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β) were significantly higher in significantly higher in CD, CD+QZ and CD+CE compared to the Control (NC) group at p<0.05. However, they significantly decreased in CD+QZ and CD+CE compared to Cadmium (CD) group at levels of p<0.05. Cadmium (CD) and Cadmium+quercetin (CD+QZ) experimental groups showed significant decrease in IL-10 levels compared to Control (NC) at p<0.05. Cadmium+Quercetin (CD+QZ) and Cadmium+Cyperus esculentus (CD+CE) experimental groups showed significant decreased of IL-10 compared to Control (NC) at p<0.05. hormonal assessment of testosterone, FSH and LH in Cadmium group (CD) was significantly lower than the Control (NC) at p<0.05 while that of Cadmium+Quercetin (CD+QZ) and Cadmium+Cyperus esculentus (CD+CE) was significantly higher than FSH of Cadmium experimental group (CD) at p<0.05. Conclusion: Hydro ethanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus ameliorates cadmium toxicity on reproductive system of male rats by restoring the reproductive hormonal levels of male rats and with decrease pro-Inflammatory biomarkers (TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β) and increased anti-Inflammatory biomarker (IL-10). Cyperus esculentus can therefore be recommended for patients exposed to cadmium in order to avoid cadmium toxicity on reproductive system.