European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF BEETROOT AGAINST METRONIDAZOLE TOXIC INFLUENCES ON GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY, SPERMATOGENESIS AND HEMATOLOGICAL INDICES: IN VIVO STUDY

Shukr Mahmood Yaseen and Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo*

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the possible antitoxic effect of beetroots extract against the toxic influences of metronidazole (MTZ) on Glutathione peroxidase activity, spermatogenesis and some of hematological indices in rats. Sixteen male Albino Wistar rats (56 days old, weighing 230–250 g) were randomly divided into four groups. Control group (GI) received distal water only. Group II (GII) rats received MTZ (500 mg/kg/day) for 25 days. Group III (GIII) rats received beetroot extracts (300mg/kg/day) for 25 days, 2 hours later, rats received MTZ (500 mg/kg/day) for 25 days. Group IV (GIV) rats received pure beetroots extract (300mg/ Animal/day) for 25 days. Blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture into sterile vacuum tubes with and without anticoagulant under light ether anesthesia. Serum was separated and stored at −20°C. Levels of Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and blood cells (RBCs, WBCs) count are examined. At the end of experiment, rats were sacrificed for sperm examination. GII showed significant increase of sperm abnormalities, decreased in GPx activity and RBCs, WBCs count. However, rats in GIV showed significant decrease of sperm abnormalities, increase in RBCs, WBCs counts and GPx activity. Moreover, discernible protection effects of beetroot extract against MTZ influences have seen in GIII with an overall decline in the sperm abnormalities. High doses (500 mg/kg) of MTZ are most likely to induce infertility, anemia and inflammation in rats. Aqueous extracts of red beetroots protected against toxic effect induced by MTZ in rats and significantly raised the normal sperm production, RBCs, WBCs counts and GPx activity.

Keywords: Beta Vulgaris, Hematological Indices, Metronidazole, GPx, Spermatogenesis, Rats.