Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological profile of the genus Dalbergia L. (Fabaceae)

Cadmium (Cd) is considered as one of the most toxic transition metal elements that can cause severe damage to testis. Withania sominifera Linn. (W. somnifera) is an Indian medicinal plant rich in bioactive and bio-available was tested for Cd induced toxicity. Male Wistar albino rats were used to collect data - control, cadmium treated (CdT), cadmium and W. somnifera (CdT + WS), cadmium and Vitamin E (CdT+Vit E), and control and W. somnifera. After 30 days, testes were procured and used for various investigations including histology, immuno-staining for iNOS and MnSOD, Western-blot analysis of caspase-3 and estimation of antioxidants, RO-S and LPO. The CdT rat testis showed significant reduction in testicular weight and volume, decline in LPO level, significant reduction in SOD, CAT, GPX, GST and GSH, Vitamin C and E. Histological observations showed necrotic and apoptotic changes. Increased expression of iNOS and decrease in MnSOD indicates oxidative stress in the cellular milieu. Increased expression of caspase-3 indicates upregulation apoptotic signal in CdT rat testis. These shifts were significantly reduced in CdT+WS and CdT+Vit E testes. Relatively, CdT+WS testis was well preserved, this study indicate the ameliorative effects of W. somnifera by anti-oxidant and antiperoxidative potentials.