Methotrexate can induce testicular tissue damage and infertility by increasing the activity myeloperoxidase and destroying mitochondrial membrane. Diosgenin is a steroidal sapogenin with antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diosgenin on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and neutrophil infiltration in methotrexate-induced testicular injury in the rat.

40 rats were divided into 5 groups: control, diosgenin-treated control with a dose of 50 mg/kg, methotrexate, two groups of diosgenin-treated methotrexate at doses of 10 or 50 mg/kg. Methotrexate at a dose of 20 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally one day after diosgenin administration. Diosgenin was administered daily for two weeks at doses of 10 or 50 mg/kg. At the end, the rats were anesthetized and the testis was removed. MPO and MMP in testicular tissue were measured. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-test were used.

The MMP of the methotrexate group showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p=0.003). The diosgenin-treated methotrexate group at a dose of 50 mg/kg showed a significant increase as compared to the methotrexate group (p=0.008). The level of MPO in the methotrexate group showed a significant increase as compared to the control group (p=0.009). The diosgenin-treated methotrexate group at a dose of 50 mg/kg showed a significant decrease as compared to the methotrexate group (p=0.039).

Diosgenin reduces the harmful effects of methotrexate on MPO and MMP in testicular tissue.