AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF KOLAVIRON ON ALUMINUM CHLORIDE-INDUCED HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN THE TESTES OF ADULT MALE MICE.

ABSTRACT The testes are vital for male fertility, but exposure to aluminum chloride (ALCl3) can cause oxidative stress and structural damage. This study investigated the protective effects of kolaviron, a natural antioxidant from Garcinia kola, on AlCl3-induced testicular toxicity in male mice. Thirty-five adult male mice were obtained and acclimatized for a week, during which they were provided standard chow pellets and fresh drinking water. They were divided into seven groups receiving different treatments: Group A served as the control, Group B was given Tween-20, Group C received 10 mg/kg body weight of aluminum chloride, Group D was administered 100 mg/kg body weight of kolaviron, Group E was treated with 200 mg/kg body weight of kolaviron, Group F received 10 mg/kg body weight of aluminum chloride combined with 100 mg/kg body weight of kolaviron, and Group G was given 10 mg/kg body weight of aluminum chloride along with 200 mg/kg of kolaviron. Treatments were delivered daily for 15 days via an oral cannula. The mice were sacrificed through cervical dislocation, and their testes were harvested. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism Software. Aluminum chloride exposure led to testicular damage and oxidative stress by disrupting the germinal epithelium and lowering antioxidant enzymes. Kolaviron, especially at higher doses, mitigated these effects through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Keywords: Aluminum chloride (AlCl3), Kolaviron, Oxidative stress, Testicular morphology, Cervical Dislocation