Kalanchoe pinnata Attenuates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Testicular and Sperm Alterations in Wistar Rats: Histomorphological and Endocrine Evidence

Abstract

This study investigated the protective potential of ethanolic Kalanchoe pinnata (KP) leaf extract against cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. Eighty male Wistar rats (120–160 g) were randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 10/group): control; KP alone (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day, orally, for 14 days); CYP alone (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, on Day 1); and CYP + KP groups receiving the Day 1 CYP injection followed by daily oral KP administration for 14 days. Sperm characteristics, serum FSH, LH, testosterone and oestradiol, MDA, TAC, TNF-α and IL-1β, behavioural performance, and quantitative testicular histomorphometry were assessed CYP significantly reduced total sperm count, rapid progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology while increasing dead sperm cells. CYP exposure was also associated with reduced testosterone, increased FSH and LH, elevated MDA, reduced TAC, and impaired working-memory performance. Co-treatment with KP attenuated several CYP-associated reproductive alterations. The 400 mg/kg dose produced the greatest improvement in testosterone and TAC, with values of 20.02 ± 7.30 ng/mL and 13.7 ± 1.6, respectively, whereas 600 mg/kg produced the greatest reduction in MDA (0.94 ± 0.04 μmol/L). Quantitative histomorphometry further indicated preservation of seminiferous tubular architecture and germinal epithelial thickness following KP co-treatment. Ethanolic K. pinnata leaf extract attenuated several CYP-associated alterations in sperm characteristics, reproductive endocrine measures, oxidative status, behaviour, and testicular histomorphology. These findings support further investigation of KP as a potential protective intervention against cyclophosphamide-associated reproductive injury.