Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress in male albino mice

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the possible protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) on reproductive toxicity induced by the anticancer drug cyclophosphamide (CP) in male albino mice. Animals were divided into four groups. G1 was considered as control. G2 was given EGb at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight/day, for 4 weeks. G3 was orally given CP at a dose level of 6.5 mg/ kg body weight/ day for 4 weeks. G4 was orally administered EGb and CP daily for 4 weeks. Testes were removed and stained with H&E for histological examinations. Testosterone and LH were measured in the sera. MDA, CAT and SOD were measured in the testicular tissue. The results showed that treating animals with CP caused degeneration of seminiferous tubules and loss of the spermatogenic cells. The interstitial tissue appeared with different vacuoles, blood hemorrhage and Leydig cells were degenerated. The sperm counts decreased and the sperm abnormalities increased. Biochemical results showed a decrease in levels of testosterone, LH, SOD and CAT activities and an increase in MDA. Treating mice with CP and EGb caused an improvement in the pathological alterations and increased the number of sperms. Moreover, testosterone, LH, SOD and CAT increased, while MDA decreased.  The results of this study indicated that EGb protected mice   against CP induced reproductive toxicity.