Effect of Methotrexate and Matricaria Chamomile on testis tissue and some antioxidants in Albino rats

Abstract

Objective: Depending on the antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties of Matricaria Chamomile (MC), the current study aimed to investigate if MC could protect testicles against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular damage. Methods: 24 male Wistar albino rats were randomly separated into four groups (n=6/each) as follows. G1, the control group was given a single oral daily dose of distilled water (D.W) for 30 days; G2, (MTX group) rats were administered a single oral daily dose of D.W. and in day 28 the animals have received a single IP dosage of MTX; G3 six rats were given an aqueous extract of chamomile flowers at a dose of 200 mg/kg dissolved in 1 ml D.W. and on day 28 the rats have received a single intraperitoneal dose of MTX, and the last group was six rats received a methanolic extract of chamomile flowers at a dose of 200 mg/kg dissolved in 1 ml D.W. and on the day 28 the animals were received a one dosage intraperitoneal of MTX. At the end of the experiment, all animals were anesthetized and sacrificed, blood was also collected for the biochemical test as well as the testicular tissues were removed for histology examination. Results: According to biochemical assessments, notably there was no significant difference between the MTX and the other studied groups. In terms of histological examinations of animals treated with MTX, several pathological changes including vacuolization of seminiferous tubules with a reduced population of germinal epithelium were seen as compared to the control. Animals of G3 and G4 (pre-treatment with equates and alcoholic extract of MC before MTX administration) also showed some notable histopathological changes including disorganization of seminiferous tubules and tubular vacuolation. Conclusion: When comparing the control group, examination of testes with H&E staining showed that pre-treatment with Matricaria Chamomile did not affect MTX-induced testicular damage.