THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF CAROB EXTRACT IN PRESERVING THE MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION OF SPERM AND ENHANCING ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS IN TESTICULAR TISSUE EXPOSED TO METHOTREXATE TOXICITY

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of the aqueous extract of carob fruit (Prosopis farcta) against oxidative damage in the testes of male albino rats induced by the drug methotrexate (MTX). It also aimed to examine its potential antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging ability. The study involved 20 male laboratory albino rats of the Sprague Dawley strain, weighing between 170-200 grams. They were divided into four groups, each containing 5 rats. The study was conducted at the animal house of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tikrit, and the experiment lasted for 28 days under standard laboratory conditions. Several physiological and biochemical variables were measured, including oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), which is one of the products of oxidation. Additionally, the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were measured as antioxidants at the testicular tissue level. The groups treated with MTX showed a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the level of glutathione (GSH), while there was a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared to the control group. Animals exposed to oxidative stress induced by MTX for 28 days and treated with the aqueous extract of P.FARCTA fruit showed a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the elevated levels of MDA. Additionally, there was a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the activity levels of the antioxidants SOD and GSH compared to the MTX group at the tissue extract level. Histological sections of the sperm showed deformities, including head fusion, tail coiling, and midpiece twisting. However, a significant improvement in sperm deformities was observed in the groups treated with the aqueous extract of P.FARCTA fruit.The results of the current study suggest that the aqueous extract of P.FARCTAfruit plays a crucial role in improving the physiological, biochemical, and histological variables induced by MTX administration in testicular tissue. This supports its protective, therapeutic, and antioxidant roles, making it potentially useful in preventing and mitigating disorders caused by free radicals and reactive oxygen species.