Protective Effect of Ginseng against Dexamethasone-Induced Testicular Injury in Adult Male Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

The current study was carried out to evaluate the toxic effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on the testis of adult male rats and the possible protective effect of the ginseng (GIN) against DEX-induced toxicity. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were used and divided into four equal groups. Group I: control rats, group II: rats received GIN only, group III: rats received DEX only and group IV: rats received DEX plus GIN. At the end of the treatment period, all rats were sacrificed under anesthesia. Sera and testicular tissues were collected for various biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Obtained results showed that, treatment with DEX caused a significant decrease in both serum concentration of testosterone and levels of testicular antioxidant markers including reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. On contrary, DEX produced increase in testicular content of malondialdehyde (MDA).  In parallel, treatment with DEX induced destructive effects on the testicular tissue as reduced spermatogenic cells, degeneration of Leydig cells, appearance of necrotic areas, deposition of collagen fibers, and trigger apoptosis through decreasing Bcl-2 and increasing Bax. Treatment with GIN attenuated DEX-induced adverse changes in serum testosterone levels, tissue antioxidants, apoptosis and histology of testis. These results suggested the ability of GIN to protect testis against DEX-induced tissue injury and dysfunction in adult male rats.

Keywords

Mansoura Journal of Biology
Volume 57, Issue 4
December 2022
Pages 6-16

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