Protective effects of Nymphaea lotus Linn. (Nymphaeaceae) aqueous extract against chronic unpredictable mild stress induced testicular lipid peroxidation

Stress has been associated with various diseases such as harms the heart system, nervous system, affect the level of hormone, but also morphology and function of testis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate protective properties of Nymphaea lotus (N. lotus), against deleterious effects induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (CMS) on testes of albino male rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups as one non-stressed group and four stressed groups (n = 5 in each group). The stressed groups were exposed to 14 days of CMS, receiving concomitantly and respectively, distilled water (10 mL/kg), Yohimbine (2 mg/kg) and N. lotus at the level of 75 and 200 mg/kg. The reproductive organs weight, oxidative stress markers, and histoarchitecture of the testis were examined. Exposition to CMS to the male rats caused no significant changes in the relative weight of testis, but affects its histoarchitecture, that is preserved in stressed rats treated with N. lotus. Further CMS significantly declined the amount of Nitrites (P<0.05), GSH (P<0.05) and SOD (P<0.001) levels and increase up to 16.25% the level of testicular lipid peroxidation when compared to unstressed rats. N. lotus at the both doses significantly reduced (P<0.001 for 75 mg/kg and P<0.01 for 200 mg/kg) MDA levels in comparison to stressed rats, suggesting an lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect of our plant. The unpredictable chronic mild stress paradigm used in our study enhanced oxidative stress in testis and causes histological damages that N. lotus treatment significantly minimize.