Estimation of Toxic Hazards Caused by Methanolic Extract of Euphorbia peplus in Male Albino Rats

Euphorbiaceae family presents some pharmacological activities that its latex can be used widely in the traditional medicine as a germicide, antiparasitic and in asthma and cough healing. Although the huge amount of literatures that discuss the beneficial and therapeutic uses of Euphorbia, attention had hardly paid to the adverse effects of the latex of this family. Euphorbia peplus (petty spurge or milkweed) is a species of Euphrbia that native to North Africa where it typically grows in the cultivated lands and gardens. This study was aimed to explore the toxic hazards of Euphorbia peplus latex in male albino rats using different assays including estimation of testosterone and leutinizing (LH) hormones , liver enzymes, total protein and the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase in serum samples. Also, studying the effect of plant latex on testicular and liver tissue DNA fragmentation. The plant was stored in 95% methanol at room temperature for extraction of the plant. The oral administration of 500mg/kg b.wt of plant latex twice weekly for 65 days revealed a significant reduction in weight of testis and seminal vesicle with a significant decrease in sperm cell concentration and sperm motility as compared with control group. Meanwhile, the percentage of sperm abnormalities was significantly increased. Serum levels of testosterone and LH hormones were significantly decreased. The antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and catalase showed a significant decrease. The latex provoked an obvious DNA damage and fragmentation in both testicular and hepatic tissues after oral treatment with euphorbia peplus latex as compared to control group.