چکیده (انگلیسی):

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of cinnamon on lead acetate
induced reproductive toxicities in rats. Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into 4
groups, 8 rats in each. Control rats received distilled water, while treated rats received lead
acetate (30 mg/kg), cinnamon (250 mg/kg) and lead acetate and cinnamon (30 mg/kg and
250 mg/kg) for 60 days by gavage tube. In cinnamon treated rats, the relative weights of
testes, epididymis, seminal and prostate glands were significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared
with that in lead acetate treated rats. Sperm cell concentration and viability were
significantly (P < 0.05) reduced, while sperm abnormalities were significantly (P < 0.05)
increased in lead treated rats. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were
significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in lead acetate treated rats compared to the other groups,
while the addition of cinnamon to lead acetate improved the level of SOD compared to the
lead treated group. There was a marked reduction (P < 0.001) in the expression of androgen
receptor and significant (P < 0.001) increase in the level of caspase-3 protein expression
in the testis of lead treated rats. In conclusion, cinnamon exhibited protective effect on
reproductive system by inhibiting lead acetate induced oxidative stress and excessive cell
apoptosis.