Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals widely used in numerous consumer products, making human and animal exposure a significant public health concern.
This study evaluated the protective effects of royal jelly (RJ) against dibutyl phthalate (DBP)-induced ovarian damage. Forty female Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into eight groups (n=5 per group): control (corn oil), DBP (500 mg kg-1), RJ (200 mg kg-1), Quercetin (QCN) (50 mg kg-1), DBP + RJ (100, 200, and 300 mg kg-1), and DBP + QCN (50 mg kg-1) for 28 consecutive days by gavage. QCN was used as a positive antioxidant control. RJ was dissolved in normal saline, whereas QCN and DBP were dissolved in corn oil. The levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and TNF- in the serum were measured. Oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers (MDA, NO, TTM) were assessed in the ovarian tissue. The histopathological alterations of ovarian tissue and ovarian index were also evaluated. RJ significantly reduced DBP-induced elevations in serum testosterone and DHEA levels. Compared with the DBP group, RJ treatment significantly restored the ovarian index and reduced serum TNF-α level. RJ treatment significantly attenuated DBP-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress in ovarian tissue.
DBP disrupted normal ovarian architecture, characterized by increased atretic and cystic follicles and reduced corpora lutea formation; these alterations were markedly ameliorated by RJ. In conclusion, RJ attenuated DBP-induced ovarian toxicity, as evidenced by reduced oxidative/nitrosative stress, decreased serum TNF‑α, and lowered serum testosterone and DHEA levels.