Oils of Nigella sativa L. and Cinnamon zeylanicum Inhibit the Testicular Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Induced by Mancozeb in Rats

Mancozeb, a fungicide of ethylene bisdithiocarbamate is widely used in agriculture. It leads to disturbances in many cellular processes. This study is aimed at elucidating the possible protection effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and Cinnamon zeylanicum oil (CZO) in alleviating the toxicity of mancozeb on reproductive performance in adult male rats. Animals were orally administered with NSO (2 ml/kg/day) or CZO (100 mg/kg/day) either alone or with mancozeb (100 mg/kg/day) for 50 days. Results showed that groups administered each of the oils alone increased serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, antioxidant enzymes and integrity of cellular and genetic status of testes compared to control group. However, the co-administration of mancozeb with each of these oils modulated the testicular toxicity exerted in the toxicated group. The results showed alleviation in the integrity of the testicular cells and the %DNA in tail and tail length, the hormone measurements and the serum oxidative stress compared with the toxicated (non- treated( group. Our results indicated that NSO had higher protective effect than CZO against mancozeb-induced reproductive toxicity.