Cisplatin-induced testicular dysfunction and its amelioration by Launaea taraxacifolia leaf extract

Summary This study investigates the ameliorative potential of Launea taraxacifolia (LT) aqueous leaf extract on cisplatin‐induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats. Thirty rats were randomly divided into six groups (A–F) of 5 rats each: Group A which served as control received water; Group B was intraperitoneally (ip) injected 10 mg kg−1 body wt cisplatin on day 21; Groups C and D were given 100 and 400 mg of LT via oral administration, respectively, for 21 days while Groups E and F received similar treatment as Groups C and D, respectively, and then exposed to ip administration of 10 mg kg−1 body weight cisplatin on the 21st day. Exclusively, Cisplatin‐exposed Group B rats showed reduced sperm characteristics and increased sperm morphological abnormalities; distorted histological architecture of seminiferous tubules; significantly increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH)levels in the testes. These parameters in LT alone treated Groups C and D were not markedly different compared with the control group. The rats with the combined treatment in Groups E and F showed significantly improved sperm parameters, testicular histo‐architecture and antioxidant enzymatic activities. Conclusively, aqueous extract of L. taraxacifolia has protective potential against cisplatin damage.