Research Article
Kolaviron Attenuates Bifenthrin-Induced Epididymal Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats Through Antioxidant,
Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms
Ujong Peter Ujong
,
Mbang Edet Ibor*,
Vivian Peter-Ujong,
Michael Oko Ugbada
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
65-79
Received:
12 October 2026
Accepted:
22 October 2026
Published:
6 November 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.bmb.20261104.11
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Abstract: Exposure to synthetic pyrethroid pesticides has raised increasing concern due to their adverse effects on male reproductive health. Bifenthrin, a widely used pyrethroid insecticide, has been reported to impair reproductive function through oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptotic signaling pathways. This study investigated the protective and therapeutic effects of kolaviron (KV), a biflavonoid complex derived from Garcinia kola seeds, against bifenthrin-induced epididymal toxicity in male Wistar rats. Forty-eight rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 8): control, bifenthrin (1 mg/kg), KV (200 mg/kg), KV pre-treatment followed by bifenthrin, bifenthrin followed by KV post-treatment, and concurrent bifenthrin + KV treatment. Treatments were administered orally for 28 days, while sequential groups received two 28-day phases. Serum reproductive hormones (LH, FSH, and testosterone), antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx, and GST), lipid peroxidation marker (MDA), inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, COX-2, and iNOS), and apoptosis-related proteins including Caspase-3 and p38 MAPK were evaluated alongside epididymal histopathology. Bifenthrin exposure significantly reduced reproductive hormone levels, impaired antioxidant defenses, elevated MDA concentrations, upregulated inflammatory and apoptotic markers, and induced marked histological alterations in epididymal tissue. KV administered alone or in combination with bifenthrin (before, after, or concurrently) improved hormone levels, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative and inflammatory damage, and recovered normal epididymal architecture. These findings demonstrate that kolaviron mitigates bifenthrin-induced epididymal toxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing pesticide-associated male reproductive dysfunction.
Abstract: Exposure to synthetic pyrethroid pesticides has raised increasing concern due to their adverse effects on male reproductive health. Bifenthrin, a widely used pyrethroid insecticide, has been reported to impair reproductive function through oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptotic signaling pathways. This study investigated the protec...
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