Crocin attenuates cyclophosphamide induced testicular toxicity by preserving glutathione redox system

Chemotherapy induced testicular toxicity is an emerging reason for azoospermia and impotency in males. Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent to manage neoplastic and non-neoplastic autoimmune diseases. Testicular toxicity along with bladder and hepatotoxicity are its widely reported adverse effects. Crocin (CR) is the digentiobiosyl ester of crocetin, found in the fruits of gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides E.) and dried stigmas of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) possess antioxidant, anti-depressant, anti-tumor and aphrodisiac properties. In the light of these reports, the present study aimed to investigate protective effect of CR administration (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg per day for eight weeks) on CP induced (15 mg/kg per week for eight weeks) testicular toxicity in male Sprague dawley rats by analysing the Glutathione redox cycle, Sperm quality, spermatogenic and steroidogenesis hormonal axis, caspase 3 activity and histological investigations. Administration of CR preserved the glutathione redox cycle, sperm quality, hormonal mediators associated with sperm production. It also decreased testicular apoptosis as evident from the reduction of caspase 3 activity. These biochemical findings were well reflected on the histo-pathological investigation. Conclusively, the results of this study indicate that administration of CR can dose dependently attenuate the toxic effects of CP on testis.