Ameliorative effect of Caryopteris grata benth. against arsenic-induced enzymatic alterations in Testis of Albino Balb/c Mice

Arsenic (As) contaminates drinking water worldwide and its potential impact on human health has been studied for decades. A number of traditional medicinal plants are used to counteract arsenic’s deleterious effects on humans. Phytochemical screening of Caryopteris grata revealed the presence of Quercetin, myricetin, sesquiterpenoids, and spathulenol. The present study was designed to evaluate whether the crude extract of leaves of C. grata inhibited arsenic-induced testicular toxicity in albino BALB/c mice. To examine the effects, mice were divided into five groups (A-E) of 6 mice each: Group A was provided with distilled water and served as a control. Group B mice were given sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight (bw) for 10 days orally. Groups C, D, and E were treated with NaAsO₂ plus graded doses of C. grata extract (150, 300, 400 mg/kg bw), respectively. Testicular activities of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT, POD, SOD, GSH, GSR, and serum testosterone levels were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in Group B compared to Group A. C. grata markedly normalized (P<0.05) levels of CAT (0.72 and 0.46 U/mint), POD (0.311 and 0.126 U/mint), SOD (2.11 and 1.33 U/mg protein), GSH (0.679 and 0.284 µmol/g), and GSR (216.11 and 172.25 nmol/min/mg protein), along with testosterone levels (1.18±0.017 and 0.38±0.021 ng/ml) at the tested doses, respectively. Conclusively, the crude extract of C. grata leaves may inhibit both arsenic’s adverse effect on male reproductive hormones and testicular oxidative damage in mice.