Impact of scutellarin on cyclophosphamide-induced testicular damage in Sprague Dawley male rats

Cyclophosphamide is one of the most invasive chemotherapeutic drugs, which is commonly used despite its adverse effects and toxicities. Scutellarin is an herbal flavonoid with multiple pharmacological activities and clinical applications. The goal of the current study was to investigate whether scutellarin protected the gonads of male rats exposed to a single dose of cyclophosphamide. In the experiment, 21 male Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups (n=7/group). Control group; received normal saline for 12 days by mouth; Induction group; received normal saline for 12 days by mouth and a single dose of cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on day 6; and Scutellarin group; received intragastric scutellarin (100mg/kg) for 12 days and a single dose of cyclophosphamide (100mg/kg) intraperitoneally on day 6. At the end of treatment, the samples were collected, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated, sperm parameters, serum testosterone, testicular malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were measured, and histopathological alternation was evaluated. The results showed that GSI, sperm parameters, testosterone, and GPx levels were notably declined, while the level of MDA was significantly higher in the induction group compared to the control group. Interestingly, these measures markedly improved in scutellarin treated group. Additionally, histopathological analysis revealed a substantial change in the testicular tissue structure and a decrease in Jonson's score in the induction group, although scutellarin co-treatment considerably attenuated and even reversed these changes. In conclusion, the outcomes demonstrated that scutellarin may act as a protective agent that alleviates rats' testicular toxicity caused by cyclophosphamide therapy. Further, the proposed process may be attributed to its potent antioxidant properties.