title: Protective effect of combined pumpkin seed and ginger extracts on sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and epididymal histology in adult male rats treated with cyclophosphamide.
abstract: Reproductive toxicity is one of the side effects of cyclophosphamide (CP) in cancer treatment. Pumpkin seeds and Zingiber officinale are natural sources of antioxidants. We investigated the possible protective effect of combined pumpkin seed and Zingiber officinale extracts on sperm characteristics, epididymal histology and biochemical parameters of CP-treated rats. Male adult Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups. Group 1, as a control, received an isotonic saline solution injection intraperitoneally (IP). Group 2 were injected IP with a single dose of CP (100 mg/kg) once. Groups 3 and 4 received CP plus 300 and 600 mg/kg combined pumpkin seed and Zingiber officinale extract (50:50). Groups 5 and 6 received only 300 and 600 mg/kg combined pumpkin seed and Zingiber officinale extract. Six weeks after treatment, sperm characteristics, histopathological changes and biochemical parameters were assessed. In CP-treated rats, motile spermatozoa were decreased, and abnormal or dead spermatozoa increased significantly (P < 0.001) but administration of the mixed extract improved sperm parameters. Epididymal epithelium and fibromascular thickness were also improved in extract-treated rats compared to control or CP groups. Biochemical analysis showed that the administration of combined extracts could increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level significantly in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6. Interestingly, the mixed extract could decrease most of the side effects of CP such as vacuolization and separation of epididymal tissue. Our findings indicated that the combined extracts might be used as a protective agent against CP-induced reproductive toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Somaieh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aghaie
authors.affiliation: Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. hosseinnikzad43@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nikzad
authors.affiliation: Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Javad Amini
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mahabadi
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Disorders, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taghizadeh
authors.affiliation: Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azami-Tameh
authors.affiliation: Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Aliakbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taherian
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyyed Mohammad Sajjad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sajjadian
authors.affiliation: Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000737:chemistry*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000737:chemistry*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003520:Cyclophosphamide
keywords: Cyclophosphamide; Pumpkin seed and Zingiber officinale extract; Rat’s epididymis; Sperm parameters; Total antioxidant capacity (TAC)