Protective effects of Sonchus asper (L.) against KBrO₃-induced oxidative stress in rat testis.

Sonchus asper is used traditionally in the treatment of kidney inflammation, hormonal imbalance and impotency. Sonchus asper methanolic extract (SAME) was investigated for its possible preventive effect against potassium bromate (KBrO₃) induced oxidative damages in male rats using biochemical, molecular and histopathological markers in this study. 5 groups, each group of 6 rats were taken kept under standard conditions. Group 1 remained untreated while Group II was given 20 mg/kg KBrO₃ orally (in aqueous saline) and Group III, and IV were treated with 100; 200 mg/kg b.w., of SAME after 48 h of KBrO₃ treatment. KBrO₃ administration in rats significantly altered (P<0.01) the serum level of reproductive hormones, activities of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione contents (GSH), which was significantly reversed P<0.001) by co-treatment of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg b.w., SAME. Administration of SAME in rats also significantly P<0.001) reversed the lipid peroxidation induced by KBrO₃ in rats, which could be due to the presence of some plant bioactive constituents.