Anat Cell Biol.  2014 Sep;47(3):171-179. 10.5115/acb.2014.47.3.171.

Effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on sodium valporate induced cytogenetic and testicular alterations in albino rats

• Sakr SA
• Zowail ME
• Marzouk AM

• KMID: 1882592
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2014.47.3.171

Abstract

The present study investigated the cytogenetic and testicular damage induced by the antiepileptic drug, sodium valporate (SVP) in albino rats and the effect of saffron aqueous extracts. Treating rats with SVP caused a significant increase in the chromosomal aberrations either structural or numerical and decreased the mitotic index. Besides, animals administered SVP showed DNA damage appeared in the single strand breaks (comet assay). Testis of SVP-treated rats showed many histopathological changes. A significant decrease in seminiferous tubules and their epithelial heights diameters and inhibition of spermatogenesis was recorded. In addition, the number of sperm head abnormalities was increased. Biochemical results revealed an increase in malondialdhyde (MDA) which is lipid peroxidation marker and a significant decrease in the level of serum antioxidant enzyme, catalase (CAT) and reducing antioxidant power (RAP). Animals given SVP and saffron showed an improvement in chromosomal aberrations, mitotic index, DNA damage and testicular alterations caused by SVP. Moreover, MDA decreased and CAT and RAP increased. It is concluded from the present results that the ameliorative effects of saffron extract against SVP-induced cytogenetic and testicular damage in albino rats may be due to the presence of one or more antioxidant components of saffron.

Keyword

Sodium valporate; Crocus; Comet assay; Testis

MeSH Terms

Animals
Catalase
Cats
Chromosome Aberrations
Comet Assay
Crocus*
Cytogenetics*
DNA Damage
Lipid Peroxidation
Mitotic Index
Rats*
Seminiferous Tubules
Sodium*
Sperm Head
Spermatogenesis
Testis
Catalase
Sodium

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Single strand breaks (comet assay) of DNA of rat lymphocytes. (A) Normal DNA spots (no migration). (B) Damaged DNA spots (migration towards the anode). (C) Strong damaged DNA spots (more migration towards the anode).

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Normal head of a sperm with hook (arrow). (B) Without hook. (C) Banana type. (D) Amorphous. (E) Hummer-shape (A-E, ×1,000).

• 

  Fig. 3 (A) Section in testis of a control rat. (B) Testis of sodium valporate (SVP)-treated rat showing interstitial hemorrhage (H) and detachment os spermatogenic cells (arrows). (C) Congested blood vessel (arrow). (D) Exfoliation of germ cells in the lumen of the tubule (arrow) and reduction of spermatogenic cells. (E) Testis of a rat treated with SVP+ saffron showing an improvement in histological appearance and increase of germ cells (A-E, H&E, ×400). IT, interstitial tissue; S, sperms; SC, spermatocytes; Sg, spermatogonia; Sp, sperm bundles.

• 

  Fig. 4 (A) Effect of different treatments on malondialdhyde (MDA). (B) Effect of different treatments on catalase (CAT). (C) Effect of different treatments on reducing antioxidant power (RAP). a)Significant at P<0.05 compared with control group. b)Significant at P<0.05 compared with sodium valporate (SVP) group.

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