Home Testicular and spermatotoxic potential of methanol extract of red cultivar Allium cepa in rats
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Testicular and spermatotoxic potential of methanol extract of red cultivar Allium cepa in rats

  • Oyewusi J. Adeoye EMAIL logo , Oridupa A. Olayinka ORCID logo , Saba A. Bernard , Olurode A. Sikiru , Oyewusi I. Kofoworola , Olukunle J. Olufemi and Adebiyi A. Adekunle
Published/Copyright: July 18, 2018

Abstract

Background

In both human and animals, especially in food and companion animal breeding farms, infertility is normally a challenge of great concern. Males have been found to be solely responsible for about 20–30% of infertility cases. Allium cepa (Onion), being one of the highly consumed spices worldwide, is usually overlooked as a possible reproductive toxicant. Most research on A. cepa document its medicinal effects. This study focused on toxicity potential of A. cepa to the male reproductive system. Spermatozoa morphological characteristics and testicular histopathology of male Wistar rats were accessed following administration of A. cepa methanol extract for 14 and 28 days.

Methods

The rats (55) were divided into groups A, B and C of 25, 25 and 5 rats, respectively. Group C served as the control and was administered distilled water (10 ml/kg), while groups A and B were subdivided into five groups of five rats each. Group A and B were administered A. cepa extract at various graded doses for 14 days and 28 days, respectively.

Results

The results revealed significantly increased (p < 0.05) percentage spermatozoa abnormalities, with significantly lower spermatozoa concentration, mass activity and percentage sperm motility when compared with the control group.

Conclusions

Conclusively, excessive (>100 mg/kg) and prolonged (>7 days) consumption or administration of Allium cepa (onion), including nutraceutical preparations of A. cepa has spermatotoxic effect and may damage germinal epithelial cells of the testicles. Toxicity of A. cepa is dose-dependent and beneficial effects may be maximized at doses ≤100 mg/kg for ≤7 consecutive days.

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: None declared.

  3. Employment or leadership: None declared.

  4. Honorarium: None declared.

  5. Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.

References

[1] Divya K, Mary NR, Padal SB. Ethno-medicinal plants used in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Int J Pharmacool Res. 2015;5:293–300.Search in Google Scholar

[2] Ogbole OO, Adebayo AG, Edith OA. Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in treatment of inflammatory diseases in Ogun State of Nigeria. Europ J Sc Res. 2010;43:183–91.Search in Google Scholar

[3] Stajner D, Varga IS. An evaluation of the antioxidant abilities of Allium species. Acta Biol Szegediensis. 2003;47:103–6.Search in Google Scholar

[4] Das L, Bhaumik E, Raychaudhuri U, Chakraborty R. Role of nutraceuticals in human health. J Food Sci Technol. 2012;49:173–83.10.1007/s13197-011-0269-4Search in Google Scholar

[5] Upadhyay RK. Nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and therapeutic uses of Allium cepa: A review. Int J Green Pharm. 2016;10:46–64.Search in Google Scholar

[6] Arena C, Cislaghi C, Falagiani P. Anaphilactic reaction to ingestion of raw onion. Case Report Allergol Immunopathology (Madr). 2000;28:287–9.Search in Google Scholar

[7] Personal communication: invasion and consumption of raw onions by a herd of in Ibadan. Nigeria; 2001.Search in Google Scholar

[8] Ng Cho P, Noor HH, Durriyyah S, Hasan A. Effects of Nigella sativa (Habbatus sauda) oil and nicotine chronic treatments on sperm parameters and testis histological features of rats. Evid Based Compl Alternat Med. 2014;218–93.10.1155/2014/218293Search in Google Scholar

[9] Arthur GH. Veterinary reproduction and obstetrics. 5th ed. London, UK: Bailliere Tindall; 1982.Search in Google Scholar

[10] Jani RJ. Fertility evaluation and treatment for the obstetrics/gynaecology generalist. Contemporary ob/gyn., UBM medicas, USA. edition 2014;1-7.Search in Google Scholar

[11] Agarwal A, Mulgund A, Hamada A, Chyatte RM. A unique view on male infertility around the globe. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2015;13:37.10.1186/s12958-015-0032-1Search in Google Scholar

[12] Benshushan A, Shoshani O, Paltiel O, Schenker GJ, Lewin A. Is there really a decrease in sperm parameters among healthy young men? A survey of sperm donations during 15 years. J Assist Genet. 1997;14:347–53.10.1007/BF02765840Search in Google Scholar

[13] Kathrine G. Sperm quality and quantity decline, mounting evidence surggests. 2008 Available on 28 August 2012.Search in Google Scholar

[14] Hammiche F, Laven JSE, Boxmeer JC, Dohle GR, Steegers EAP, Steegers-Theunissen RPM. Sperm quality decline among men below 60 years of age undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment. J Androl. 2011;32:70–6.10.2164/jandrol.109.009647Search in Google Scholar

[15] Richard MS. Lifestyle and environmental contribution to male infertility. Brit Med Bull. 2000;56:630–42.10.1258/0007142001903436Search in Google Scholar

[16] Oyeyemi MO, Ubiogoro O. Spermiogram and morphological characteristics in testicular and epididymal spermatozoa of large white boar in Nigeria. Int J Morphol. 2005;23:235–9.10.4067/S0717-95022005000300008Search in Google Scholar

[17] Wells ME, Awa OA. New technique for assessing acrosomal characteristics of spermatozoa. J Diary Sci. 1970;53:227.10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(70)86184-7Search in Google Scholar

[18] Sekoni VO. Effect of Novidium (Homidium chloride) chemotherapy on genital lesion induced by Trypanosoma vivax Trypanosoma congolense infections in Zebu bulls. Br Vet J. 1990;146:181–5.10.1016/0007-1935(90)90012-RSearch in Google Scholar

[19] Garner DL, Hafez ESE. Spermatozoa and seminal plasma. In: Hafez ESE, eds. Reproduction in farm animals. 6th ed. Philadelphia, USA: Lea and Febiger; 1993. p. 165–87.Search in Google Scholar

[20] Ige SF, Olaleye SB, Akhigbe RE, Akanbi TA, Oyekunle OA, Udoh US. Testicular toxicity and sperm quality following cadmium exposure in rats: ameliorative potentials of Allium cepa. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2012;5:37–42.10.4103/0974-1208.97798Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

[21] Khaki A, Ghadamkheir E, Ouladsahebmadarek E, Hagighi A, Ahmadi S. Recovery of sertoli cells by Allium cepa Toxoplasma gondii infected rats. J Clin Med Res. 2013;5:1–4.10.5897/JCMR11.081Search in Google Scholar

[22] Nwaehujor CO, Igile GO, Nwinyi FC, Ode JO. The protective role of extract of Allium cepa Linn (Liliaceae) (red onion) bulb artesunate-induced testicular damage male wistar rats. Brit J Pharm Res. 2014;4:1715–24.10.9734/BJPR/2014/10675Search in Google Scholar

[23] Lisa S. Swanson health products. Consumer Lab.com survey of supplement users. 2016 Available on 25 Feb 2016.Search in Google Scholar

[24] Thomas MJ, Thomas JA. Toxic responses of the reproductive system. In: Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology- The basic science of poisons. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division; 2001. p. 677–81.Search in Google Scholar

[25] Khaki A, Fathiazad F, Nouri M, Khaki AA, Khamenehi HJ, Hamadeh M. Evaluation of androgenic activity of Allium cepa on spermatogenesis in the rat. Folia Morphol. 2009;68:45–51.Search in Google Scholar

[26] Ige FS, Akhigbe ER. The role of Allium cepa on aluminum-induced reproductive dysfunction in experimental male rat models. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2012;5:200–5.10.4103/0974-1208.101022Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

[27] Rashaduz Z, Mohammad P, Sekendar MA, Mohammed AS. Evaluation of antifertility effect of methanolic bulb extract of Allium cepa on Swiss albino male and teratogenic effect on female mice. Adv Biol Res (Rennes). 2015;9:128–32.Search in Google Scholar

[28] Vishnu NT, Pankaj SK, Vipin VD, Avinash DD. Antifertility activity of ethanolic extract of Allium cepa Linn in rats. Int J Pharm Tech Res. 2003;1:73–8.Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2017-08-18
Accepted: 2018-04-28
Published Online: 2018-07-18

© 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Pre-clinical Studies
  2. Acute and subacute toxicity of aqueous extract of the tuber of Kedrostis africana (L.) Cogn in Wistar rats
  3. Protective effects of persian honey, Apis Mellifera Meda Skorikov on side effects of chemotherapy and ischemia/reperfusion induced testicular injury
  4. Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds and essential oils from Calamintha nepeta L.
  5. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of aqueous and methanolic stem bark extracts from Nauclea pobeguinii (Rubiacee) in rats
  6. Testicular and spermatotoxic potential of methanol extract of red cultivar Allium cepa in rats
  7. Clinical Studies
  8. Premature ovarian failure of autoimmune etiology in 46XX patients: is there a hope?
  9. African crocus (Curculigo pilosa) and wonderful kola (Buchholzia coriacea) seeds modulate critical enzymes relevant to erectile dysfunction and oxidative stress
  10. Effect of foot reflexology and slow stroke back massage on the severity of fatigue in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A semi-experimental study
  11. Effects of Spiritist “passe” (Spiritual healing) on stress hormone, pain, physiological parameters and length of stay in preterm newborns: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial
  12. Short Communication
  13. A pilot-study of hypnotherapy as complementary treatment for pain in chronic pancreatitis
  14. Neuroprotective effect of curcumin nanoparticles against rat model of status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine
  15. Yoga practice to improve sleep quality and body composition parameters of obese male - a randomized controlled trial
  16. Association between a guided meditation practice, sleep and psychological well-being in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
  17. Case study
  18. Effect of yoga and naturopathy on liver, renal and cardiorespiratory functions of a patient with hepatic cirrhosis with portal hypertension and ascites: a case report
  19. Review
  20. Phytochemistry, bioactivity: suggestion of Ceratonia siliqua L. as neurodegenerative disease therapy
  21. Abstracts
  22. 2018 INCAM Research Symposium: Complementary and Integrative Medicine Research in an Era of Skepticism
Downloaded on 19.10.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/jcim-2017-0102/html?lang=en
Scroll to top button