Abstract

This study evaluated the protective effects of 6-gingerol-

rich

fraction (6-GRF)

from

Zingiber officinale on carbendazim (CBZ)-induced

reproductive toxicity in rats. Adult

male rats were treated with either CBZ (50 mg/kg) alone or in combination with 6-GRF

(50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

(GCMS) analysis revealed that 6-GRF

consists of ten bioactive chemical components

with 6-gingerol

being the most abundant (30.76%). Administration of 6-GRF

significantly (p < .05) prevented CBZ-mediated

increase in absolute and relative testes

weights as well as restored the sperm quantity and quality in the treated rats to near

control. In testes and epididymis, 6-GRF

significantly abolished CBZ-mediated

increase

in oxidative damage as well as augmented antioxidant enzymes activities and

glutathione

level in the treated rats. Moreover, CBZ administration alone significantly

decreased plasma levels of testosterone, thyrotropin, triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine,

whereas follicle-stimulating

hormone was significantly elevated without

affecting luteinising hormone and prolactin levels when compared with the control.

Conversely, 6-GRF

ameliorated the disruption in the hormonal levels and restored

their levels to near normalcy in CBZ-treated

rats. Collectively, 6-GRF

inhibited the

adverse effects of CBZ on the antioxidant defence systems, hormonal balance and

histology of the testes and epididymis in rats.