Publications

This study evaluated the protective effects of 6-gingerol-richfraction (6-GRF)fromZingiber officinale on carbendazim (CBZ)-inducedreproductive toxicity in rats. Adultmale rats were treated with either CBZ (50 mg/kg) alone or in combination with 6-GRF(50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GCMS) analysis revealed that 6-GRFconsists of ten bioactive chemical componentswith 6-gingerolbeing the most abundant (30.76%). Administration of 6-GRFsignificantly (p < .05) prevented CBZ-mediatedincrease in absolute and relative testesweights as well as restored the sperm quantity and quality in the treated rats to nearcontrol. In testes and epididymis, 6-GRFsignificantly abolished CBZ-mediatedincreasein oxidative damage as well as augmented antioxidant enzymes activities andglutathionelevel in the treated rats. Moreover, CBZ administration alone significantlydecreased plasma levels of testosterone, thyrotropin, triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine,whereas follicle-stimulatinghormone was significantly elevated withoutaffecting luteinising hormone and prolactin levels when compared with the control.Conversely, 6-GRFameliorated the disruption in the hormonal levels and restoredtheir levels to near normalcy in CBZ-treatedrats. Collectively, 6-GRFinhibited theadverse effects of CBZ on the antioxidant defence systems, hormonal balance andhistology of the testes and epididymis in rats.