EFFECTS OF AZANZA GARCKEANA EXTRACT ON TESTICULAR HISTOLOGY IN SODIUM BENZOATE-INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY IN MALE WISTAR RATS

ABSTRACT Male reproductive toxicity is a continuously growing condition that globally affects the male population. It is largely attributed to environmental toxicants such as sodium benzoate, a widely used food preservative. According to studies, sodium benzoate administration has been shown to induce oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance, significantly reduce body and testicular weights, with accompanying histological damage to the seminiferous induce oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and testicular damage tubules, including degeneration, atrophy, and disruption of spermatogenic layers. In the treatment of reproductive toxicity, conventional pharmacological interventions have been widely established, though often presented with limitations, including adverse side effects and high costs. Consequently, there is increasing interest in natural plant-based therapies with antioxidant and androgenic potentials, such as Azanza garckeana (commonly known as Goron Tula), traditionally acclaimed for its fertility-enhancing properties. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of Azanza garckeana extract in comparison with the standard drug, clomiphene citrate, on testicular histology in sodium benzoate-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Twenty-eight (28) male Wistar rats weighing between 100–150g were randomly assigned into four groups: Control, Sodium benzoate induced toxicity, Sodium benzoate induced toxicity treated with Azanza garckeana extract, and Sodium benzoate induced toxicity treated with clomiphene. Reproductive toxicity was induced by administering sodium benzoate (200 mg/kg) orally for 7 days. After confirmation of toxicity upon the physical exhibited features by the rat and histology examination, the treatment regime then followed. Azanza garckeana extract (500mg/kg) and clomiphene (1.04mg/kg) were orally administered in respective groups for 28 days. After the last treatment session, the rats were subjected to overnight fast before sacrificing and excision of testes. The testes were weighed and recorded after harvest for measurement of the organ weight and fixed in formalin before hematoxylin and eosin staining. This study concluded that Azanza garckeana possesses protective effects against sodium benzoate-induced testicular toxicity in male Wistar rats. Its efficacy is likely mediated through its rich antioxidant and androgen-modulating phytochemicals, supporting its ethnomedicinal use in male fertility enhancement. KEYWORDS: reproductive toxicity, Azanza garckeana, sodium benzoate, testicular histology.