Herbal extracts counteract cisplatin-mediated cell death in rat testis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the protective effects of ginger (Gin) and roselle (Ros) against testicular damage and oxidative stress in a cisplatin (CIS)-induced rodent model. Their protective effects against CIS-induced apoptosis in testicular and epididymal sperms is also investigated.


METHODS
Ethanol extracts of Gin or Ros (1 g/kg.day) were given orally to male albino rats for 26 days. This period began 21 days before a single CIS intraperitoneal injection (10 mg/kg body weight).


RESULTS
Gin or Ros given orally significantly restored reproductive function. Both tested extracts notably reduced the CIS-induced reproductive toxicity, as evidenced by restoring the testis normal morphology. In Gin and Ros, the attenuation of CIS-induced damage was associated with less apoptotic cell death both in the testicular tissue and in the sperms. CIS-induced alterations of testicular lipid peroxidation were markedly improved by these plant extracts.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results provide further insights into the mechanisms of protection against CIS-induced reproductive toxicity and confirm the essential anti-oxidant potential of both examined extracts.
Amin
Amr
A
Biology Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17551, United Arab Emirates. a.amin@uaeu.ac.ae
Hamza
Alaaeldin A
AA
Kambal
Amr
A
Daoud
Sayel
S
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035264:Flowers; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D031584:Hibiscus; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002945:Cisplatin