EVALUATION OF PROTECTIVE EFFICACY OF PUNICA GRANATUM ON SHORT TERM Β-CYFLUTHRIN TOXICITY ON REPRODUCTIVE TISSUE OF MALE MICE

Pyrethroids are among the most extensively used insecticide. The widespread use of these synthetic pesticides has stimulated research into the possible existence of adverse effects related to reproductive activity. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to assess the effects of β- Cyfluthrin, a type II synthetic pyrethroid on testes, the main organ of male reproduction. Animals were divided into five groups- Group I: Control, Group II: Vehicle control (corn oil), Group III: β-Cyfluthrin treated, Group IV: Punica granatum juice, and Group V: Pesticide + Antidote (β-Cyfluthrin + Antidote) treated. β-Cyfluthrin and Punica granatum juice both were administered orally to male albino mice of Swiss strain for 21 days to evaluate the toxic alterations in gravimetric and biochemical parameters. The body weight as well as testicular weight of animals showed significant reduction after β-Cyfluthrin treatment. Also, biochemical parameters like protein content, ATPase, SDH, and ALPase activity were seen to reduce significantly. Whereas, ACPase activity was observed to increase in β-Cyfluthrin administered group. In contrast, administration of β-Cyfluthrin and PJ concomitantly showed a protective effect of PJ against β-Cyfluthrin toxicity by improving various biochemical alterations. Therefore, from the results of the present study, it can be concluded that β-Cyfluthrin induces severe testicular damage and thus can affect fertility which can be attenuated by intake of PJ to a great extent. Therefore, it is recommended that people getting exposed to pesticide continuously incorporate PJ on a daily basis in the diet.