Summer savory (Satureja hortensis) can reduce spermatotoxic effects of Doxorubicin in rats

Introduction: Application of doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer anthracycline antibiotic, carries the risk of serious dose-dependent toxicity to non-target tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate whether DOX-induced spermatotoxicity could be prevented by using the Satureja hortensis hydroalcoholic extract (SE). Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each. DOX was administered to two groups of rats in 5 equal intraperitoneal injections over a period of 4 weeks (accumulated dose of 20 mg/kg). One of these groups received SE at a dose of 100 mg/kg per day subcutaneously for 28 days along with DOX. A vehicle treated control group and a SE control group were also included. Results: Epididymal sperm analyses revealed that DOX caused significant decreases in sperm concentration, viability and motility along with elevated sperm abnormality, while SE coadministration provided marked normalization in the sperm quantity and quality compared to the DOX-only treated group. Conclusion: It is reasonable to suppose that protective effects of SE against DOX-induced reproductive toxicity might have been related to the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of this substance.

Doxorubicin, Rat, Satureja hortensis, Sperm