ABSTRACT
Background: Busulfan [BU] has a destructive effect on the male reproductive system. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of olive leaf extract [OLE] as a source of antioxidants and phenolic compounds, on BU-induced damages in rat testes
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group [CTL] received a single intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection of dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], followed by oral administration of distilled water for 5 weeks. In BU group, BU [10 mg/kg] was administrated i.p. once. In co- treatment groups, first, received BU [10 mg/kg, a single i.p. injection] then, OLE was administrated orally at different doses of 250 mg/kg [BU+OLE 250], 500 mg/kg [BU+OLE 500] and 750 mg/kg [BU+OLE 750], for 5 weeks. Next, blood and sperm samples were collected. The left testis was removed to investigate testicular parameters and apoptosis by using H and E and TUNEL staining, respectively. All data were analyzed by SPSS software and a P<0.05 was considered significant
Results: There was a significant decline in sperm viability [P=0.017], number of primary spermatocyte [PS] [P=0.001] and Leydig cells [P=0.023] in the BU group versus the CTL group. OLE at three doses could repair these defects versus BU group. Increases in apoptotic spermatogonia cells [SG] due to BU were significantly reduced by OLE 250 and 500 mg/kg [P<0.01]. A reduction in germinal epithelium height and an increase in apoptotic SG were observed in BU+OLE 750 group vs. other groups [P<0.01] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] was at the highest level, also Aspartate aminotransferase [AST] increased markedly vs. CTL [P=0.024]
Conclusion: Oral administration of OLE at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg could be helpful in ameliorating BU- induced toxicity in rat testes, while OLE 750 mg/kg not only did not cause positive effects, but also could exacerbate the harmful effects