Casticin alleviates testicular and spermatological damage induced by cisplatin in rats

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in animals. Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapeutic drug, which is used in treatment of several types of solid tumors. However, it causes numerous side effects on multiple organs, specifically to testicular tissues. This study elucidated the alleviative effects of casticin (CAS) on CP induced damages in testes of rats. Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used and divided into four groups. Each group consisted of six animals. These four groups were treated as followed: Control group (0.9% saline), CP treated group (10 mg/kg. b.wt.), CP+CAS treated group (10 mg/kg. b.wt. CP and 50 mg/kg. b.wt. CAS) and CAS treated group (50 mg/kg. b.wt.). The treatment duration was one week. Biochemical, histomorphometric, hormonal and spermatogenic profiles were assessed. Results of present investigation indicated that CP treatment significantly decreased the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione reductase (GSR), while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level was increased. Furthermore, the count of germ cells and Leydig cells, epithelial height and diameter of seminiferous tubules, plasma and intratesticular testosterone concentrations as well as daily sperm production (DSP) along with its efficiency were decreased. Whereas, luminal diameter and interstitial spaces were increased. CAS is a flavonoid, which exhibits antioxidant and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging properties. Therefore, it restored these damages to some degree by attenuating CP induced toxicity in testicular tissues.