Protective effects of Ceratonia siliqua extract on protamine gene expression, testicular function and testicular histology in doxorubicin-treated adult rats

  Spermatogenesis is a complex process under the influence of many different genes.

This study was to investigate the possible effects of Ceratonia siliqua hydroalcoholic extract (CSHAE) on protamine gene expression, testicular function and testicular histology in doxorubicin-treated rats.   

56 adult male rats (210± 10 g) were divided into 7 groups (n=8/each). The control group left untreated; the sham group  received 0.3ml distilled water intraperitoneally; The negative control group  received 3 mg/kg doxorubicin, intraperitoneally, once a week for 28 days; the positive control group received 600 mg/kg of  CSHAE, orally, for 48 days; the experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 received 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg of  CSHAE,  orally, respectively for 48 days, as well as 3 mg/kg doxorubicin once a week for 28 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used in histological study of testes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used in measuring serum levels of testosterone. Protamine gene expression was determined by Real Time PCR method.

Mean body weight (p=0.009), testicular weight (p<0.001), testicular volume (p<0.001), testosterone level (p=0.022), the count of Leydig (p=0.014), spermatogonia (p =0.046), spermatocyte (p =0.025), and spermatid (p=0.006) cells, as well as protamine gene expression (p=0.008) were significantly increased in experimental group 2 compared to the negative control group. The testicular tissue regeneration was observed in the experimental group 2.

CSHAE has protective effect on doxorubicin-induced testicular injuries.