Protective Effect of Tribulus Terrestris Hydroalcoholic Extract against Cisplatin – Induce Apoptisis on Testis in Mice

Introduction: Cisplatin is an anti-cancer drug used in chemotherapy. One of the limiting side effects of cisplatin is decreasing genital gland function, azoospermia and oligospermia. Tribulus terrestris (TT) has been used as an aphrodisiac. The present study amid to investigate the protective effect of TT hydroalcoholic extract against cisplatin-induced apoptisis on testis in mice. Methods: Male adult mice (n=30) were divided into control group and 4 experimental groups (n=6). Control group reicived saline, the first experimental group received cisplatin (5.5 mg/ kg) and other three experimental groups received cisplatin (5.5mg/kg) and different doses of hydroalcoholic extact of TT (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg/i.p) resepctively. Day after the last injection, histopathology and histomorphic analysis and also TUNEL assay on mice’s testis were performed. Weights of body and testis, seminiferous tubules diameter and apoptotic index were assessed. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Turkeys’ test. Results: The results showed that cisplatin leaded to a reduction in the weight of body and testes, and increased apoptotic index significantly compared to the control group (P<0.001), while in treated groups with TT, the weights of body and testis and seminiferous tubules diameter were significantly higher compared with cisplatin group (P<0.001), but apoptotic index did not show significant differences. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that extract of TT could have protective effect on cisplatin- induced apoptosis of testis and seminiferous tubules diameter that may be related to the presence of antioxidant components acting via a multitude of central and peripheral mechanisms.