**5.1 MDA levels**

HAS1 lowered MDA level in the stomach by 32.2% in normal male rats (**Figure 1**). However, HAS2 produces an increased (p < 0.05) MDA levels in pancreas, heart, and

#### **Figure 2.**

*Immunohistochemical photomicrograph of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) staining in the testis of male rats. The whole germ layer in control (Normal saline, 10 mL/kg) group show iNOS negative immunoreactivity. The Sertoli cells (arrows) majorly show positive reaction in HAS1 (250 mg/kg) group while the whole germ cells in the HAS2 (500 mg/kg) group have positive reactions. The primary spermatogonia show positive reaction than other cells in the germinal layer in the HAS3 (1000 mg/kg) (arrows). SG, Spermatogonium; SC, Sertoli cell; PS, primary spermatocyte; L, lumen. HAS, Hydroethanolic extract of* Acridpcarpus smathmannii *root. (Mag. ×400.)*

brain by 113.64%, 70.37%, and 36% respectively. Additionally, HAS3 elevated MDA levels in testis (79.41%), kidney (52.38%), pancreas (104.55%), heart (88.89%), and brain (96%) respectively in rats. on the other hand, in the female rats, HAS1 caused an increase in MDA level in lung (57.69%) and pancreas (88%) respectively. Similarly, HAS2 produce elevated MDA levels in the lung and pancreas by 80.77% and 44% in the treated rats, whereas, HAS3 further increased (p < 0.05) MDA levels in the lung (50%), brain (82.14%), and pancreas (24%) respectively in the treated animals.
