Protective Role of Ziziphus lotus Fruits and Leaves Extracts Towards BPA-Associated Testis Toxicity

Ziziphus lotus L. is used in folk medicine for various ailments. This study investigated the potential protective effects of aqueous extracts from the fruit (ZLFAE) and leaves (ZLLAE) of Z. lotus against testicular toxicity associated with Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in a rat experimental model. ZLFAE and ZLLAE were characterized for the content of phytochemicals, showing high content in catechol, quercetin, and caffeic acid for ZLFAE associated with higher antioxidant capacity. Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups orally exposed to BPA (100 mg/kg), or BPA combined with ZLFAE (150 or 300 mg/kg) or ZLLAE (150 or 300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. In control animals (CTRL), exposure to BPA and treatments with ZLFAE or ZLLAE were omitted. Animals were then sacrificed and assessed for testis histology, semen parameters, antioxidant parameters, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Exposure to BPA was associated with reduced testis and epididymis weights, reduced serum testosterone and semen parameters, with increased markers of lipid peroxidation, oxidized thiols, and impaired catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Treatment with Z. lotus extracts, particularly ZLFAE 150 mg/kg, markedly mitigated these biochemical and structural alterations. These findings suggest that Ziziphus lotus L. fruits exert protective effects likely due to their phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties, offering a potential protective potential towards BPA-associated testicular toxicity.