Effect of fenugreek seed extract on carbendazim-inhibited spermatogenesis in albino rats

Carbendazim is a carbamate fungicide used in control of various fungal pathogens.Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn.) is a leguminous plant cultivated in several Asian and African countries and its seeds are used as herbal medicine. In the present work the effect of aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds on carbendazim-induced testicular toxicity in albino rats was studied. Treating rats with carbendazim induced significant decrease in testis weights, diameters and germinal epithelial heights of the seminiferous tubules. Histological results revealed degeneration of seminiferous tubules and reduction of spermatogenic cells. Moreover, carbendazim caused elevation of testicular malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Animals treated with carbendazim and fenugreek showed improvement in the histomorphological and histopathological changes observed in animals treated with carbendazim. In addition fenugreek treatment leads to a significant decrease in the level of MDA and increase in the activity of SOD and CAT. It is concluded that fenugreek extract can improve the testicular toxicity of carbendazim and this effect may be attributed to its antioxidant properties.