Protective effect of Salvia officinalis against cypermethrininduced reprotoxicity in male Wistar rats

Background: Medicinal plants are a reservoir of biologically active compounds with therapeutic properties that, over time, have been used for the treatment of various diseases. This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Salvia officinalis against cypermethrin-induced toxicity. Methods: 30 male rats weighing approximately 240 g were divided into equal six groups; the control group received tap water, the positive control received the aqueous extract of sage leaves (SLE) at a dose of (0.5g/kg bw), the groups treated with cypermethrin (Cyp1) at 8.33 mg/kg bw and (Cyp2) at 25 mg/kg bw, and the groups treated by cypermethrin combined with aqueous extract of sage SLE+Cyp1 (0.5g/kg bw+8.33 mg/kg bw) and SLE+Cyp2 (0.5g/kg bw+25 mg/kg bw) for four days/week. After 4 weeks of oral administration, epididymal seminal fluid was analyzed via the CASA system, in addition to the histological study testis and epididymis. Results: The obtained results showed a decrease in the absolute weight of the reproductive organs, with a significant decrease in sperm concentration, motility and speed in the cypermethrin-treated group compared to the control. Histological study of the testes and epididymis indicates an alteration in the stages of spermatogenesis in groups Cyp1 and Cyp2 compared to the control. However, the above-mentioned parameters were maintained almost normal in the groups that received the aqueous extract of sage with both doses of cypermethrin. Conclusion: it can be demonstrated that SLE has been shown to protect rats from cypermethrin-induced reprotoxicity.