The effect of Sambucus nigra fruit extract in three chemotropic cycles of cisplatin drug on male reproductive system of mice

Abstract Background Administration of chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, induces infertility as a side effect in men of childbearing age, while consumption of antioxidants can recover this process. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Sambucus nigra (SNA) on cisplatin alone and in combination in reducing the toxicity of cisplatin on the reproductive system of mice. Materials & methods In this study, 30 adult balb/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6). Mice in the groups received cisplatin (0.4 mg/kg) and SNA (200 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for three periods of six days with an interval of 10 days for a total of 48 days. The positive and negative control groups received normal saline and no drug, respectively. At the end of the treatment period, various parameters such as semen analysis, changes in testicular histological structures, changes in hormone levels, expression of apoptotic genes and the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated. Results The results of the present study showed that SNA could significantly reduce abnormalities of sperm and testis due to cisplatin administration. In addition, SNA was able to reduce the expression of genes involved in the apoptotic pathway compared to the cisplatin group. Meanwhile, SNA reduced serum MDA rate and raised rate T-SOD, GSH-Px and CAT rate compared to the cisplatin group. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that SNA may have a protective effect against cisplatin in testicular tissue via its antioxidant properties.