Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2019;26(1):44-57

doi:10.21315/mjms2019.26.1.4

Ameliorative Effects of Aquilaria malaccensis Leaves Aqueous Extract on Reproductive Toxicity Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Male Rats

Redzuan Nul Hakim Abdul Razak 1 ; Faridah Ismail 2 ; Muhammad Lokman MD Isa 3 ; Azantee Yazmie Abdul Wahab 4 ; Hussin Muhammad 5 ; Roszaman Ramli 4 ; Raja Arif Shah Raja Ismail 4

Affiliations

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Keywords

antioxidants, Aquilaria malaccensis, cyclophosphamide, oxidative stress, reproductive toxicity

Country

Malaysia

Language

English

Abstract

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used anti-neoplastic and immunosuppressive agent that is associated with adverse side effects including reproductive toxicity. Aquilaria malaccensis (AM) is a traditional medicinal plant which was reported to exhibit high anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging properties. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of AM leaves extract on sperm quality following toxic exposure to CP. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into eight groups of six rats (n = 6): control, CP only (200 mg kg−1), AM only (100 mg kg−1, 300 mg kg−1 and 500 mg kg−1) and CP + AM (100 mg kg−1, 300 mg kg−1 and 500 mg kg−1). Animals were sacrificed after 63 days of treatment and the sperm from the caudal epididymis was taken for sperm analysis. Results: The body and the reproductive organs weight, sperm count and motility did not differ between CP and other groups (P > 0.05). A significant increase (P < 0.05) in percentage of the dead and abnormal sperm were seen in the CP alone treated group compared to the control group. Co-administration of AM to the CP exposed rats significantly reduced the (P < 0.05) percentage of abnormal sperm as compared to the CP only group. Conclusion: Overall, the present results represent the potential of AM to protect against CP induced reproductive toxicity.