Echis ocellatus venom-induced sperm functional deficits, pro-apoptotic and inflammatory activities in male reproductive organs in rats: antagonistic role of kaempferol

Echis ocellatus envenoming is potentially toxic initiating clinical damages on male reproductive system. Kaempferol is a therapeutic agent with neutralizing potentials on snake venom toxins. This study investigated the antagonistic effect of kaempferol on E. ocellatus venom (EoV)-induced reproductive toxicities.

Fifty adult male rats were sorted at random into five groups of ten rats for this study. The control rats were allotted to group 1, while rats in groups 2–5 were injected with 0.22 mg/kg bw (LD₅₀) of EoV intraperitoneally. Rats in group 2 were not treated while groups 3–5 rats were treated with serum antivenom (0.2 ml), and 4 and 8 mg/kg bw of kaempferol post envenoming, respectively.

EoV actuated reproductive toxicity, significantly decreased sperm parameters, and enhanced inflammatory, oxidative stress, and apoptotic biomarkers in reproductive organs of untreated envenomed rats. However, treatment with kaempferol alleviated the venom-induced reproductive disorders with a dose dependent effect. Kaempferol significantly increased the testicular weight, organo-somatic index, sperm parameters, and normalized the levels of serum luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and follicle stimulating hormone. Kaempferol ameliorated testicular and epididymal oxidative stress as evidenced by significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, enhancement of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities. The inflammatory biomarkers; nitric oxide (NO) levels and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), and apoptotic biomarkers; caspase 3 and caspase 9 activities were substantially suppressed in the testis and epididymis of envenomed rats treated with kaempferol.

Results revealed kaempferol as a potential remedial agent against reproductive toxicity that could manifest post-viper envenoming.