Effect of Zingerone on the Antioxidant Enzymes of Mercury Chloride Induced Testicular Toxicity in Adult Male Wistar Rats.

Mercury chloride (HgCl₂) is a toxic heavy metal in our enviroment that poses risks to human reproductive health and causes testicular toxicity when induced in adult male wistar rats. Zingerone, a natural compound found in ginger, has demonstrated potent antioxidant and cytoprotective properties and its treatment significantly shows its protective effect on the antioxidant enzymes of mercury chloride induced toxicity in male wistar rats.This study was aimed at investigating the effects of zingerone, on the antioxidant enzymes of HgCl₂-induced testicular toxicity in adult male wistar rats. 25 male Wistar rats weighing 150-200g were used for this study. They were divided into negative control group (food and water only), positive control group (mercury chloride only), 3 mercury chloride plus zingerone groups and with 4 rats in each group. The mercury chloride plus zingerone groups were of 3 groups and were given low (100mg/kg), medium (200mg/kg) and high (400mg/kg) doses of zingerone respectively, while the positive control group (mercury chloride only) was given 1mg of mercury chloride only. The induction of mercury chloride commenced after a 14-day period of acclimatization in the span of 7 days. Blood samples were obtained from 5 rats from each group via the orbital sinus. The effects of this result showed a significant increase in the serum level of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat groups treated with medium dose of zingerone (200mg/kg) when compared with the negative and positive control .In conclusion, this present study demonstrates the benefitial effects of Zingerone in ameliorating the mercury chloride induced testicular toxicity in adult male wistar rats. The finding highlights the importance of exploring natural compounds like Zingerone as potential therapeutic interventions for reproductive health issues associated with environmental and chemical exposures.