Investigating of the effect of rosmarinic acid against cyclophosphamide-induced gonadal toxicity in adult male rats

Aim: It was aimed to investigate the potential protective efficacy of rosmarinic acid against gonadal toxicity caused by cyclophosphamide in rats. Materials and Methods: In the study, 28 male Wistar Albino rats, 15-16 weeks old / 200-240 gr, were used. The rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (Control): Rats were administered 1 ml of 0. 9% saline solution intraperitoneally (i.p.) daily for 14 days. Group 2 (RA): Rats were administered 1 ml of 20 mg/kg RA (i.p.) daily for 14 days. Group 3 (CP): Rats were administered 1 ml of 0. 9% saline solution for the first 7 days and 1 ml of 20 mg/kg CP (i.p.) for the last 7 days. Group 4 (CP+RA): Rats were administered 1 ml of 20 mg/kg RA per day for 14 days, and 1 ml of 20 mg/kg CP (i.p.) for the last 7 days. After the experiment, rat body and testes weights and blood MDA levels were measured. Histopathological evaluations were performed on testicular tissues. Bax expression levels were examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot (WB). Results: It was observed that rat body and testis weights decreased in the CP group, MDA values increased compared to the control group, there were degenerations in the seminiferous tubule structure in histopathological examinations, and Bax expression increased by immunohistochemical and western blot methods. It was determined that the findings were similar to the control group in the CP+RA group and the level of Bax expression was decreased compared to the CP group. Conclusion: It was concluded that due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of RA, it ameliorated the gonadal toxicity caused by CP. Keywords: antioxidant, apoptosis, bax, rosmarinic acid, cyclophosphamide, testis