Male fertility is strongly affected by the overexpression of free radicals induced by heavy metals. The aim of this study was to produce nanoparticles from the agro-food waste, Cucumeropsis mannii melon seed husk extract (MSHE), whose burned seeds in Nigeria become incorporated into the soil contributing to pollution
and to propose a potential remediation biomarker adoptable to a metal-exposed animal model. Sol-gel precipitated melon husk silica nanoparticles were characterized by spectrophotometric and X-ray diffraction analysis. Biochemical and histopathological tests were performed on male albino rats divided into 8 groups orally exposed to Ni, Al, and Ni/Al both alone as well as co-administrated with MSHE at several dosages. Metal exposure reduced levels of plasma gonadotropin hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and the sex steroid hormone testosterone, but MSHE co-administration increased them. MSHE treatment alone also raised FSH and LH levels compared to the metal-exposed groups. Plasma gonadotropin prolactin (PRL) levels were higher in each group examined, whereas MSHE co-administration significantly lowered them. Additionally, MSHE treatment alone exhibited lower PRL levels than the mixture-exposed groups and increased testosterone levels. Plasma hormonal results were confirmed by regeneration of testis architecture, testis lipid peroxidation decreases, and testis antioxidant increases. Use of agro-food waste nanoparticles has significant implications as evaluated with male albino rat plasma hormone levels. MSHE may ameliorate Ni-Al mixture-induced testicular toxicity and may be a useful future therapeutic tool.