Amelioration of Oxidative Stress in Sodium Fluoride-administered Wistar Rats by Tamarindus indica Fruit Pulp Ethanolic Extract

Infertility is a significant global health issue often exacerbated by environmental toxins like sodium fluoride (NaF), which induces oxidative stress and reproductive dysfunction. Medicinal plants, such as Tamarindus indica, known for their antioxidant properties, offer potential natural remedies. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp in mitigating NaF-induced infertility in Wistar rats. Tamarindus indica fruits were authenticated and processed into a crude extract, with phytochemical screening revealing the presence of tannins and steroids. Seventy Wistar rats were divided into seven groups, receiving various treatments including T. indica extract, NaF, and Clomid. The acute toxicity test, conducted according to WHO and OECD guidelines, showed no lethal effects up to 5000 mg/kg of the extract. Phytochemical screening indicated that the antioxidant properties of the extract could be attributed to tannins and steroids. Experimental groups treated with T. indica extract exhibited significant improvements in oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared to control groups. The 200 mg/kg preventive group demonstrated the most notable antioxidant activity, comparable to the normal control group. The findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp at 200 mg/kg body weight has significant potential as a natural therapeutic agent against oxidative stress-induced infertility. This highlights its promise as an alternative to conventional treatments, offering a safe and effective option for managing reproductive health issues related to oxidative stress.