The Ameliorative
Effects of Broccoli Extract on Lead-Induced Reproductive Toxicity and DNA Damage
in Pre-Pubertal Rats
Venugopal Nithya, Jayaraman Radhika, Punniakotti Murali, Natarajan Pratheepa Sivasankari
and Raja Veena
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(6); 20-30;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/296rjce020030; (2025)
Abstract
Lead toxicity poses significant risks to reproductive health, primarily through
oxidative stress and endocrine disruption. This study evaluates the protective effects
of ethanolic broccoli extract against lead-induced reproductive toxicity in prepubertal
male Wistar rats. The study involved five groups: Control, Lead Acetate (LA), Lead
Acetate + Broccoli extract (LA + Broc), Lead Acetate + Vitamin E (LA + Vit E) and
Broccoli extract (Broc). Results revealed statistically significant differences
across all parameters (p < 0.05). The lead group exhibited severe reductions in
testis weight, antioxidant enzyme levels (GPX, SOD, GSH, CAT), oxidative stress
parameter (LPO), reproductive hormone levels (testosterone, FSH, LH) and sperm quality,
along with elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage. Histopathological analysis
revealed extensive degeneration of seminiferous tubules and reduced cellular proliferation
(Ki67-positive cells).
Conversely, the Broc group demonstrated substantial protective effects including
normalization of testis weight, enhancement of antioxidant defenses, restoration
of hormone levels and improved sperm parameters. Broccoli extract also mitigated
histopathological alterations and significantly reduced DNA tail length, a marker
of genotoxicity. The LA + Broc and LA + Vit E groups exhibited partial recovery,
with broccoli extract showing superior efficacy over vitamin E, likely due to its
bioactive compounds such as sulforaphane. Histomorphometric improvements in seminiferous
tubule diameter, luminal diameter and epithelial thickness further underscored the
protective role of broccoli extract. These findings highlight the potential of broccoli
extract as a natural therapeutic agent for mitigating lead-induced reproductive
toxicity, offering insights into its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Further studies are warranted to explore their applicability in the clinical settings.
