Effect of Boswellia serrata extract on Methotrexate induced testicular damage

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of Boswellia serrata extract on Methotrexate- induced testicular damage by evaluating antioxidant system, reproductive organ weights, some spermatological parametres and serum Testesterone levels. For this purpose, 40 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. 1. Control Group (n=10): No treatment was given for 10 days. 2. B. Serrata Group (n=10): B. Serrata was given by gavage at a dose of 500 mg center dot kg(-1) for 10 days. 3. Methotrexate Group (n=10): Methotrexate was given intraperitoneally as a single dose of 20 mg center dot kg(-1). 4. Methotrexate + B. Serrata Group (n=10): After methotrexate was given intraperitoneally as a single dose of 20 mg center dot kg(-1), 500 mg center dot kg(-1) B. Serrata was given by gavage for 10 days. It was determined that B. Serrata significantly increased serum Testosterone levels (P<0.001), testicular GSH levels (P<0.001), motility of sperm (P<0.001), concentration of sperm (P<0.001), absolute ventral prostate (P<0.001) and absolute seminal vesicles (P<0.05) organ weight in Methotrexate + B. Serrata group. The decrease in testicular MDA levels (P>0.05) and the increase in GSH-Px enzyme activity of testes (P>0.05) and final body weight (P>0.05) were not significant in Methotrexate + B. Serrata group compared to the Methotrexate group. In conclusion, the negative effects of Methotrexate on the male reproductive system can be reduced by administering B. Serrata extract.