Hydrogen sulfide protects hippocampal CA1 neurons against lead mediated neuronal damage via reduction oxidative stress in male rats

•Lead poisoning induced spatial memory and learning impairment.•H2S administration to the Pb-exposed male rats decreased spatial memory and learning impairment.•Lead exposure led to histological injuries in hippocampus of Pb-exposed male rats.•H2S administration improved histological changes in the Pb-exposed male rats.