The Effect of Telang Flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) Extract on Thickness of Seminiferous Tubule Epithelium and Sertoli Cells in Male Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of telang flower extract (Clitoria ternatea L.) on the thickness of seminiferous tubule epithelium and Sertoli cells in male rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to cigarette smoke.Twentyfive rats were divided into five groups: C -(CMC Na 0.5% 2 ml without cigarette smoke), C + (CMC Na 0.5% 2 ml with cigarette smoke), and treatment groups T1, T2, and T3 (exposed to cigarette smoke and given telang flower extract at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg BW, respectively).Cigarette smoke exposure was given daily for 35 days (two cigarettes per day per group).ANOVA revealed significant differences.Duncan's test revealed intergroup differences, while Pearson correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.661, p = 0.000) between Sertoli cell count and epithelial thickness.The results demonstrated that 600 mg/kg BW (T3) extract was most effective in maintaining seminiferous tubule epithelium thickness and Sertoli cell count.Clitoria ternatea extract, containing flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, and alkaloids, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, preventing damage from oxidative stress.We hypothesized that Clitoria ternatea extract mitigates cigarette-smoke-induced testicular damage through antioxidant mechanisms.A dosedependent protective effect was observed, with the 600 mg/kg BW group showing the best preservation of epithelial integrity and Sertoli cell counts.This study supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, particularly Target 3.9, by addressing reproductive health damage caused by exposure to hazardous environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke and exploring plant-based antioxidant interventions to promote male reproductive health.