D-3-O-methylchiroinositol (from <i>Pilostigma thonningii</i>) ameliorates cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced toxicity in male reproduction

Abstract

This study examined the possible protective effect of D-3-O-methylchiroinositol isolated from stem bark of Pilostigma thonningii on cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. The results show that the immotile, headless and sluggish sperm count decreased from Month 2 to Month 3 respectively in the CdCl₂- challenged but D-3-O-methylchiroinositol-treated groups, and increased in the CdCl₂-only groups from Month 1 to Month 3. Cadmium (Cd) accumulated in the testes of Wistar rats and decreased sperm morphology including sperm count, sperm motility. It also increased immotile sperm count, headless sperm count and sluggish sperm count. However, in this study, D-3-O-methylchiroinositol which has a structural formula similar to the phosphatidylinositol phosphate with proven antioxidant potentials reversed these toxic effects by months 2 and 3. Histopathology results revealed that CdCl₂ significantly reduced the volume of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules and resulted in reduced spermatogenesis however, amelioration with D-3-O methylchiroinositol restored the testicles to normal spermatogenic activities.

Keywords: D-3-O-methylchiroinositol, cadmium chloride (CdCl₂), toxicity, Wistar rats, male reproduction