Protective Effect of Aloe vera Gel against Cisplatin-Induced Testicular Damage, Sperm Alteration and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Cisplatin is an effective antineoplastic drug that is used to treat varioustypes of cancers. However, it causes side effects on the male reproductive system. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of Aloe vera gel (known as an antioxidant plant) on cisplatin-induced changes in rat spermparameters, testicular structure, and oxidative stress markers.

In this experimental study, forty-eight adult male rats were divided into 6 groups including: control, cisplatin (CIS), A. vera (AL), metformin (MET), cisplatin+A. vera (CIS-AL), and cisplatin+metformin (CIS-MET). Cisplatin was used intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg/kg on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the experiment. A. vera gel (400 mg/kg per day) and metformin (200 mg/kg per day) were administered orally for 35 days (started one week before the beginning of the experiment). Testes weight and dimensions, and morphometrical and histological alterations, activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum testosterone concentration, lipid peroxidation level, and sperm parameters were examined.  

Cisplatin caused a significant decrease (p <0.05) in relative weight and dimension of the testis, germinal epithelium thickness and diameter of seminiferoustubules, the numbers of testicular cells, and spermatogenesis indexes.The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased and antioxidant enzymes activities decreased in the CIS group compared to the control group (p <0.05). Additionally, sperm parameters (concentration, viability, motility, and normal morphology), and testosterone levels reduced significantly in cisplatin-treated rats (p <0.05). Also, cisplatin induced histopathological damages including disorganization, desquamation, atrophy, and vacuolation in the testis. However, administration of A. vera gel to cisplatin-treated rats attenuated the cisplatin-induced alterations, mitigated testicular oxidative stress and increased testosterone concentration.  

The results suggest that A. vera as a potential antioxidant plant and due to free radicals scavenging activities, has a protective effect against cisplatin-induced testicular alterations.