Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Protective effects of Cornus Mas fruit extract on methotrexate-induced alterations in mice testicular tissue: Evidences for histochemical and histomorphometrical changes in an animal model study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Leila Zarei 1
Rasoul Shahrooz 2

1 Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2019.69516.1955
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) as a chemotherapeutic agent, has adverse effects on reproductive organs by enhancing oxidative stress. In this study, the protective effects of Cornus mas fruit extract (CMFE) against MTX side effects were evaluated. Forty-eight mature male NMRI mice were divided into six groups: group 1 (control) received 0.10 mL per day of normal saline intraperitoneally (IP), group 2 received MTX (20 mg kg-1 per week, IP), group 3 received MTX along with CMFE 250 mg kg-1 per day by oral gavage, group 4 received MTX along with CMFE 500 mg kg-1 per day by oral gavage, group 5 received MTX plus 1000 mg kg-1 per day of CMFE by oral gavage, and group 6 received 1000 mg kg-1 per day of CMFE extract, orally. All animals were treated for 35 consecutive days. Thickness of testicular capsule and germinal epithelium and diameter of seminiferous tubules were measured. Intra-cytoplasmic levels of carbohydrate, unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and alkaline phosphatase were assessed. Serum level of testosterone and testicular total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that MTX administration caused morphometrical parameters except the thickness of testicular capsule were significantly different in comparison to control group and decreased cytoplasmic concentration of carbohydrate in the first three layers of germinal epithelium and increased the UFA levels. Contrarily, CMFE ameliorates the condition. Moreover, CMFE increased testosterone level and increased the MTX-reduced TAC level. In conclusion, it was revealed that CMFE decreased the cellular atrophy by controlling the energy substrate utilization based on lipids and carbohydrates via provoking the testicular antioxidant status.

Keywords

Cornus mas
Histochemistry
Methotrexate
Mice
Testis

Subjects

  1.  

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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 10, Issue 4
Autumn 2019
Pages 307-313

  • Receive Date 05 December 2017
  • Revise Date 12 May 2018
  • Accept Date 22 May 2018

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