Rosmarinic Acid Protects the Testes of Rats against Cell Phone and Ultra-high Frequency Waves Induced Toxicity
Abstract
Overview
Cell phone and Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) electromagnetic waves are recognized for producing oxidative stress, leading to testicular toxicity. This experimental study focused on analyzing the protective effect of Rosmarinic Acid (RA) against oxidative stress induced by UHF radiation in rats.
Methods
- Forty-two male Wistar rats divided into six groups:
- Control (received 5 mL normal saline by gavage)
- Cell phone group (exposed to 915 MHz EMF)
- UHF waves group (exposed to 2450 MHz EMF)
- RA/cell phone group (RA + 915 MHz)
- RA/UHF waves group (RA + 2450 MHz)
- RA group (received RA only at 20 mg/kg)
- Exposure lasted for 30 consecutive days.
- Biochemical and histopathological parameters of testes measured.
- Statistical analyses performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test.
Findings
- Significant reduction in antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and glutathione content in groups exposed to cell phone and UHF wave radiation (P<0.001).
- UHF exposure notably increased markers of oxidative stress including malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and protein carbonyl content (P<0.001).
- UHF exposure caused a decrease in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, epithelial height, and seminiferous tubular/luminal diameter (P<0.001).
- Rosmarinic Acid administration mitigated these effects, reducing oxidative stress indices, restoring antioxidant enzymes, and improving testicular histology (P<0.001).
Conclusion
Rosmarinic Acid effectively protects against testicular toxicity induced by UHF EMF by reducing oxidative stress and improving tissue structure. As oxidative stress and toxicity are confirmed cellular responses to EMF exposure, these findings underline EMF's biological risks and suggest RA may offer a protective strategy, potentially relevant for human EMF environmental contamination.