Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility

Benvolio Tochukwu Eze; Thelma Ebele Ihedioha; Edmund Chidiebere Mbegbu; Chike Fidelis Oguejiofor; Ifeanyi Gabriel Eke

doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

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Open J Physiol Pharmacol. 2026; 1(1): 63-79

doi: 10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility

Benvolio Tochukwu Eze, Thelma Ebele Ihedioha, Edmund Chidiebere Mbegbu, Chike Fidelis Oguejiofor, Ifeanyi Gabriel Eke.

Abstract
Background:
Optimal testicular function and spermatogenesis occur within a temperature range below the normal body temperature. Increase in the testicular temperature above this range will adversely affect testicular function and spermatogenesis and ultimately male fertility.

Aim:
The aim of the study is to examine the ameliorative effects of a poly-herbal formulation (PHF) on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats.

Methods:
The PHF contains equal parts of Epimedium gratiflorum leaves, Lepidium meyenii (maca) roots, curcuma longa rhizomes, Zingiber officinale roots, Aframomum melegueta seeds, Hunteria umbellate seeds, Withania somnifera roots, Buchholzia coriacea seeds and Ginko biloba extract. Effects of PHF (7.0 mg/kg, 3.5 mg/kg, 1.75 mg/kg) were evaluated on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats. The effects of this formulation were also investigated in normal rats at the dose of 3.5 mg/kg. The effects of PHF on testicular and epididymal sperm reserves, relative testicular weight, libido scores, serum testosterone level, serum lipid profile, serum oxidative stress markers, hematology and testicular histopathology of rats were also examined.

Results:
The PHF caused a dose-dependent increase in testicular and epididymal sperm reserves of the rats exposed to mild testicular heat stress compared to negative control. It also increased the relative testicular weight of the treated rat. The normal rats treated with PHF at the dose 3.5 mg/kg had a significantly higher epididymal sperm reserve than other groups. The PHF at the dose of 7.0 mg/kg restored testicular tissue integrity to normal. No variations were found in the serum testosterone levels, libido scores, serum lipid profile, serum oxidative stress markers and hematology of the albino rats.

Conclusion:
The PHF ameliorated heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats and improved spermatogenesis in normal rats. These findings suggest that the PHF may be useful in the treatment of male infertility due to abnormal testicular temperature.

Key words: Heat stress; Male fertility; Poly-herbal formulation; Reproduction; Testicular damage.

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Eze BT, Ihedioha TE, Mbegbu EC, Oguejiofor CF, Eke IG. Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility. Open J Physiol Pharmacol. 2026; 1(1): 63-79. doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

Web Style

Eze BT, Ihedioha TE, Mbegbu EC, Oguejiofor CF, Eke IG. Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility. https://www.ojpponline.org/?mno=312493 [Access: August 10, 2026]. doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Eze BT, Ihedioha TE, Mbegbu EC, Oguejiofor CF, Eke IG. Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility. Open J Physiol Pharmacol. 2026; 1(1): 63-79. doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Eze BT, Ihedioha TE, Mbegbu EC, Oguejiofor CF, Eke IG. Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility. Open J Physiol Pharmacol. (2026), [cited August 10, 2026]; 1(1): 63-79. doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

Harvard Style

Eze, B. T., Ihedioha, . T. E., Mbegbu, . E. C., Oguejiofor, . C. F. & Eke, . I. G. (2026) Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility. Open J Physiol Pharmacol, 1 (1), 63-79. doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

Turabian Style

Eze, Benvolio Tochukwu, Thelma Ebele Ihedioha, Edmund Chidiebere Mbegbu, Chike Fidelis Oguejiofor, and Ifeanyi Gabriel Eke. 2026. Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility. Open Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 1 (1), 63-79. doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

Chicago Style

Eze, Benvolio Tochukwu, Thelma Ebele Ihedioha, Edmund Chidiebere Mbegbu, Chike Fidelis Oguejiofor, and Ifeanyi Gabriel Eke. "Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility." Open Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 1 (2026), 63-79. doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Eze, B. T., Ihedioha, . T. E., Mbegbu, . E. C., Oguejiofor, . C. F. & Eke, . I. G. (2026) Effects of a poly-herbal formulation on heat-stress-induced testicular damage in albino rats: Exploring benefits of herbal remedies in male fertility. Open Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 1 (1), 63-79. doi:10.5455/OJPP.2026.v1.i1.7

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