Co-administration of Glyphaea brevis and Monodora myristica Modulates Finasteride-induced Oxidative Stress and Haematological Alterations

Abstract

This study investigated the haematological and testicular antioxidant effects of G. brevis (GB) and M. myristica (MM) in male Wistar rats with finasteride-induced reproductive toxicity. Finasteride administration (negative control) significantly reduced packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and platelet count compared to the normal control (p < 0.05), consistent with androgen-deprivation–induced suppression of erythropoiesis and myelosuppression. Co-administration of GB or MM, individually or in combination, restored these parameters to near-normal levels, suggesting protective or stimulatory effects on hematopoiesis. White blood cell indices and red cell morphological parameters (MCV, MCH, MCHC) were unaffected, indicating that alterations in Hb and PCV were primarily due to changes in erythrocyte number rather than morphology. In the testes, finasteride significantly decreased catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, with concomitant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Treatment with GB or MM improved CAT, SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, while reducing MDA levels. The combined GB+MM treatment produced the most pronounced improvements, restoring antioxidant enzyme activities and lowering lipid peroxidation to levels comparable with the positive control. The synergistic effect is likely mediated through phytochemical constituents (flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids) that scavenge reactive oxygen species and upregulate endogenous antioxidant pathways. Overall, GB and MM exhibit hematopoietic and antioxidative protective potential against finasteride-induced reproductive toxicity, supporting their possible therapeutic application in oxidative stress-related male reproductive disorders.