Dihydroxy-isosteviol-methyl-ester, an active biological component of Pulsatilla nigricans, reduces arsenic induced cellular dysfunction in testis of male mice.

Arsenic contamination has become a menacing health concern, warranting search for new drugs capable of ameliorating its toxicity. Extract of Pulsatilla nigricans is occasionally used as traditional medicine including homeopathy to combat/alleviate toxicity-related symptoms of known or unknown cause. Mice were intoxicated with a sub-lethal dose of sodium arsenite (20mg/kg b.w./day, determined through a range-finding trial) and the effect on testicular toxicity after 30, 60, and 90 days was examined. We observed an increased level of reactive oxygen species, cellular damage in testes of SA-intoxicated mice and further analysed expressions of apoptotic signal proteins and mRNA like Bax, Bcl2 and caspase3. Treatment with EEPN showed significant inhibition/reversal of the arsenic-induced toxic effect in testis and reduced oxidative stress through modulating expressions of signal proteins, thereby inhibiting the progression of events of apoptosis in testis cells and sperm. Therefore, EEPN has potentials for therapeutic use in arsenic- induced reproductive toxicity.