Carbendazim is a broad spectrum carbamate fungicide used in the control of various fungal pathogens. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is one of the widely used medicinal plants in oriental nations. The present work studied the effect of licorice aqueous extract on carbendazim-induced testicular toxicity in albino rats. Administration of carbendazim induced significant decrease in testis weight, diameter, and germinal epithelial height of the seminiferous tubules. Histological results revealed degeneration of seminiferous tubules, loss of spermatogenic cells, and apoptosis. Moreover, carbendazim caused elevation of testicular malondialdehyde (MDA), marker of lipid peroxidation, and reduced the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Coadministration of licorice extract with carbendazim improved the histomorphological and histopathological changes observed in animals treated with carbendazim. In addition, licorice treatment leads to a significant decrease in the level of MDA and increase in the activities of SOD and CAT. According to the present results, it is concluded that licorice aqueous extract can improve the testicular toxicity of carbendazim and this effect may be attributed to antioxidant properties of one or more of its constituents.
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