Protective effect of baicalin on cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress and morphologic damage in testis tissue

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of baicalin on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced testicular damage in rats. Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were assigned to the control, baicalin, CP, and CP+Baicalin groups. A single dose of CP (200 mg/kg) was induced intraperitoneally (i.p.) in the CP and CP+Baicalin groups. Baicalin (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was administered in the baicalin and CP+ Baicalin groups for 6 days. After sacrification, the testes, epididymis and blood samples were taken. Testis tissues were investigated for general morphology, proliferating, and apoptotic cells. Oxidative stress parameters in testis tissue and hormone levels in serum were examined by biochemical analysis. Sperm analysis was performed on smear samples obtained from the epididymis. In CP + Baicalin group, decreases in both the number of abnormal spermatozoa and degeneration of seminiferous tubules were observed compared to the CP group. Also, decreased apoptotic cells and increased proliferative cells were detected in these seminiferous tubules. Furthermore, the treatment with Baicalin reversed the changes observed in the markers of oxidative damage including malondialdehyde, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index, and markers of the antioxidant defense system including glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and catalase except for glutathione s-transferase (GST) in testicular tissue. Decreased serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone related to CP significantly improved in CP + Baicalin group. Conclusion: Baicalin attenuates CP-induced testicular damage by inhibiting oxidative stress possibly due to its antioxidant properties. Considering on the proposed beneficial effects of Baicalin against testicular damage induced by CP, it might have the potential to be a promising agent for male infertility related to chemotherapy.