The ameliorate effect of 18-beta glycyrrhetinic acid against cadmium-induced reproductive damage.

This study aimed to investigate whether 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) could protect against cadmium-induced testicular damage in male rats. Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): Control, Cadmium (CAD), GA, and Cadmium + GA. Cadmium and GA were administered at doses of 1 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively, for 50 days. At the end of the experimental period, testicular and epididymal tissues were collected for biochemical, molecular, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Biochemical evaluations included oxidative stress parameters (TAS, TOS) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6). Apoptotic gene expression (Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3) was assessed by RT-PCR. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to evaluate Bcl-2, Bax, iNOS, and NF-κB expression. Cadmium exposure significantly increased oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine levels and induced marked histological damage, including Leydig cell necrosis and severe tubular degeneration. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased Bax, iNOS, and NF-κB expression in testicular and epididymal tissues. Cadmium also upregulated Bax and Caspase-3 while downregulating Bcl-2 gene expression. Conversely, GA treatment significantly attenuated cadmium-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and histological damage. These findings suggest that GA exerts protective effects against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity and may represent a promising therapeutic agent for preventing cadmium-related male infertility.