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Ameliorative Effects of Thymoquinone against Chemotherapy-Induced Testicular Damage in Experimental Animals: A
Sukinah A Tarmookh1, Amal Ahmed El-Sheikh1, Kamaluddin H Motawei1
1Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Chemotherapeutic drugs have demonstrated effectiveness in treating various neoplastic conditions; however, they can also have detrimental effects on male gonadal function and fertility. Consequently, interest has grown in identifying novel approaches that can mitigate chemotherapy-induced testicular damage. Thymoquinone (TQ), the chief active component of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa (NS), has a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. The aim of this systematic review was to identify experimental animal studies that have evaluated the protective effects of TQ against testicular complications associated with chemotherapy. In accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a thorough search was performed across several databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, Sage and Scopus) to identify experimental studies published from 2010 to May 2022 that focused on rodent models and compared the effects of TQ versus other chemotherapeutic drugs. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, comparing TQ with methotrexate (MTX), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), cyclophosphamide (CPA), bleomycin (BL), doxorubicin (DOX) or busulfan (BUS). The results of these studies consistently demonstrated that TQ significantly improved sperm parameters, the levels of oxidative stress (OS) markers, apoptosis markers, and hormones and testicular histopathology, indicating that TQ has protective effects against chemotherapy-induced damage. TQ mitigated chemotherapy-induced testicular toxicity by decreasing lipid peroxidation and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes within chemotherapy-treated testes. These findings highlight the potential of TQ as a therapeutic agent that can ameliorate testicular complications associated with chemotherapy, thereby providing a basis for further research and potential therapeutic applications.
Insights
Thymoquinone (TQ), derived from Nigella sativa, shows promise in protecting male fertility against chemotherapy damage. This review found TQ improved sperm health and reduced toxicity in animal studies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Chemotherapy is vital for cancer treatment but often causes male infertility.
- Thymoquinone (TQ), from Nigella sativa, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Research is needed to explore TQ's protective effects against chemotherapy-induced testicular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review experimental animal studies on TQ's protective effects against chemotherapy-induced testicular toxicity.
- To evaluate TQ's impact on sperm parameters, oxidative stress, apoptosis, hormones, and testicular histopathology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, EBSCOhost, Sage, and Scopus.
- Inclusion of experimental rodent studies from 2010 to May 2022 comparing TQ with chemotherapeutic agents.
- Analysis of eight studies evaluating TQ against methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide, bleomycin, doxorubicin, or busulfan.
Main Results:
- TQ significantly improved sperm parameters in chemotherapy-treated rodents.
- TQ reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis markers while improving hormone levels and testicular histology.
- TQ mitigated testicular toxicity by decreasing lipid peroxidation and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.
Conclusions:
- Thymoquinone demonstrates significant protective effects against chemotherapy-induced testicular damage in animal models.
- TQ ameliorates toxicity through antioxidant mechanisms, reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.
- TQ holds potential as a therapeutic agent to preserve male fertility during chemotherapy.
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