Effects of Peperomia pellucida ethanol leaf extract on PAH-induced changes in lipid profile and reproductive parameters in male Wistar rats

The effects of ethanol leaf extract of Peperomia pellucida plant on Benzo[a]pyrene-induced changes in lipid profile and reproductive parameters in male Wistar rats was investigated. Thirty five (35) male rats weighing 150 –200g were divided into five (5) groups of seven (7) rats each. Ethanol extract of P. pellucida was prepared using air-dried leaves of the plant. Group-1 (negative control) received normal rat feeds and distilled water only for 6 weeks. Group-2 received 1 ml/kg b.w. of olive oil daily from week 1 to 3 (orally); Group-3 received 2mg/kg b.w. of B[a]P dissolved in 1 ml/kg b.w. olive oil (vehicle) daily from week 1 to 3 (orally); Group 4 (Curative group) received 2mg/kg B[a]P from weeks 1 to 3 before the administration of 500 mg/kg P. pellucida ethanol leaf extract from week 4 - 6. Group 5 (Prophylactic group) received 500mg/kg b.w of P. pellucida on alternate days from week 1 - 3 before administration of 2ml /kg b.w. B[a]P for another 3 weeks. Results obtained showed no significant (p≤0.05) changes in lipid profile in groups-1 and -2 at weeks 4 and 6. There was significant decrease in % fast progressive mobility of sperm cells in the Benzo-[a]P group which recorded 23.50%, in comparison with groups-1, -4 and -5 which recorded 87.00%, 67.5% and 62.00% respectively at week 4. Treatment with plant extract improved sperm count, viability, motility, and morphology. This result suggests that ethanol extract of P. pellucida leaves exhibit promising fertility effects and ameliorative potency against toxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants in Wistar rats.