Ameliorative Role of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Lawsonia innermis against Cadmium Mediated Disruption of the Fallopian Tube Mucosal in Adult Female Wistar

Abstract

Aim: Infertility, due to the disruption of the normal fertility milieu by ubiquitous environmental pollutants and chemicals, is a major call for public concern. For instance, tubal factor infertility is attributed to damage to the Fallopian tube lining. The use of herbal remedy in the treatment of infertility is associated with its rich antioxidants potential. Lawsonia inermis (Lythraceae) leaf is studied to report its role in protecting the tubal mucosa from environmental pollutants such as cadmium chloride to provide evidence on the effect of cadmium on tubal mucosa and potential antioxidant role of Lawsonia inermis leaf extract (200mg/kg) to avert tubal factor infertility by evaluating changes in the histo-morphology of the tubal mucosa, biomarkers for oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes. Methodology: Twenty (20) adult female Wistar rats of average body weight of 150g used were divided into four (4) groups (n=5) viz:control, cadmium (2mg/kg), 200mg/kg Lawsonia inermis leaf extract, and 200 mg/kg Lawsonia inermis leaf extract treated cadmium-induced infertility model. The excised Fallopian tubes were processed, stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin, and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain in addition to spectrophotometric analysis for serum level of catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: Results indicate that cadmium caused distortions in the tubal mucosa, loss of mucin granules, elevation of lipid peroxidation marked by MDA and a decline in antioxidant enzyme- CAT activity. These aforementioned characteristics were reversed in the Lawsonia inermis leaf-treated infertility model attributed to an elevation in CAT that attenuated lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage in the tubal mucosal. Conclusion: Lawsonia inermis averts the disruption of the tubal mucosa lining demonstrating its role to protect the tubal epithelial mucosa from toxin damage and tubal factor infertility.