Antioxidant potential of Phyllanthus fraternus Webster on cyclophosphamide induced changes in sperm characteristics and testicular oxidative damage in mice

Cyclophasphamide (CPA) is used to treat various types of cancer. It is a cytotoxic alkylating agent widely used in chemotherapeutic regimen. However, the clinical efficacy of CPA is marred by its side effects. In clinical applications of CPA, it becomes necessary to prevent the oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity induced thereby in normal cells. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (AEPF) on CPA (200 mg/kg body wt., i.p.) induced changes in sperm characteristics and testicular oxidative damage in male mice. The CPA treated group showed significant decrease in gonadosomatic index (GSI), epididymal sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability compared to control group, while the CPA + AEPF treated group had significant increase with respect to these variables compared to the CPA-treated group. The elevated levels of lipid peroxidation by CPA were effectively reduced with AEPF. It also exhibited protective action against the CPA induced depletion of antioxidants like catalase and superoxide dismutase. DNA damage was measured by comet assay, biomonitoring with comet assay elicited significant increase in genotoxicity. Genotoxicity caused by CPA was counteracted by aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus. Administration of the plant extract along with CPA restored the histopathological architecture of testis. Thus, the aqueous extract of P. fraternus by virtue of its antioxidant potential can be used as an effective agent to reduce CPA-induced oxidative stress in male mice.