Protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of L. fruit on cyclophosphamide-induced testicular toxicity in mice.

OBJECTIVE

Cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced testicular toxicity has been reported in recipient patients. The current study was designed to evaluate protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of L. fruit (HARF) against CP-induced testicular toxicity in BALB/c mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five mice were divided into five groups as follows: group I (control), group II (CP, received CP 100 mg/kg on days 1, 8, 15, and 22), group III (CP + HARF 250 mg/kg), group IV (CP + HARF 500 mg/kg), and group V (CP + HARF 750 mg/kg). In the groups III, IV, and V that received CP, the HARF was simultaneously administered via intraperitoneal injections for 28 consecutive days starting from day 1. On the 29 day, sperm parameters, stress oxidative biomarkers, and mRNA expression of in testis tissue, as well as blood testosterone were evaluated.

RESULTS

The CP exposure decreased sperm parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, testosterone, and mRNA expression levels and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA). HARF at the dose of 500 mg/kg improved sperm count and viability and increased SOD and catalase activities, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, testosterone level, and expression and reduced MDA. Also, HARF at the dose of 750 mg/kg improved sperm parameters and increased SOD, catalase, and GPx activities, total testosterone level, and expression, and reduced MDA in comparison with the CP group.

CONCLUSION

According to our findings, HARF at the doses of 500 and 750 mg/kg inhibited the ruinous effects of CP on the reproductive system in mice.