Sitthichai Iamsaard; Supatcharee Arun; Jaturon Burawat; Wannisa Sukhorum; Porntip Boonruangsri; Malivalaya Namking; Nongnut Uabundit; Somsak Nualkaew & Bungorn Sripanidkulchai

Summary

Valproic acid (VPA), widely used in treating epileptic patients, can damage reproductive parameters causing male infertility. This study aimed to investigate protective effect of Phyllanthus emblica L. branch (PE) extract on rat testicular damage induced with VPA. Male rats were divided into 6 groups (control, VPA, 250 mg/kgBW PE only, and 50, 100, 250 mg/kgBW PE+VPA, respectively). Animals were pretreated with PE for 23 days and co-administered with VPA for 10 days before all reproductive parameters were determined. The results showed all doses of PE significantly protected the decrease testicular weight and testosterone level in VPA rats. PE significantly improved the decrease sperm concentration in VPA treated rats. Moreover, testicular histology of PE+VPA groups showed declining of testicular histopathologies as compared to VPA group. Therefore, it seems that PE branch extract can prevent testicular damages including male reproductive parameters in rats induced with VPA.

KEY WORDS: Valproic acid; Phyllanthus emblica L.; Testicular damage; Rats.

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