Metotreksat Uygulanan Sıçanlarda Diplotaenia turcica Kök Ekstraktının Sperm Parametreleri ve Antioksidan Parametreler Üzerindeki Etkisinin Araştırılması

Abstract

Bu deneysel çalışma, antineoplastik bir ajan olan Metotreksat (MTX)’ın sıçanlarda sperm parametreleri ve antioksidan savunma mekanizmaları üzerindeki olası toksik etkilerini, ayrıca Türkiye’ye özgü endemik bir bitki olan Diplotaenia turcica’nın koruyucu potansiyelini araştırmak amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada, 250–300 g ağırlığında toplam 21 erkek Wistar albino sıçan kullanılmış ve hayvanlar her biri 7 sıçandan oluşan üç gruba ayrılmıştır. Kontrol grubuna yalnızca serum fizyolojik solüsyonu verilmiştir. MTX grubunda hayvanlara tek doz 20 mg/kg intraperitoneal MTX uygulanmıştır. MTX + Diplotaenia turcica kök ekstraktı grubunda ise MTX enjeksiyonunu takiben, 150 mg/kg dozunda bitki ekstraktı oral yolla, deney süresince her gün verilmiştir. Yedi günün sonunda, tüm sıçanlardan ketamin anestezisi altında testis dokuları çıkarılmıştır. Kauda epididimisten elde edilen örnekler kullanılarak sperm yoğunluğu ve anormal sperm oranı değerlendirilmiş; diğer testis dokusu biyokimyasal analizler için ayrılarak malondialdehit (MDA) düzeyi, glutatyon (GSH) miktarı ve katalaz (CAT) aktivitesi ölçülmüştür. Bulgular, MTX uygulamasının sperm parametrelerinde belirgin bozulmalara yol açtığını, özellikle sperm yoğunluğunda anlamlı azalmalara, anormal sperm oranında ise anlamlı artışlara yol açtığını göstermiştir. Bunun yanı sıra MDA düzeyinde artışa ve GSH miktarı ile CAT aktivitesinde azalmaya neden olduğunu göstermiştir. Ancak Diplotaenia turcica kök ekstraktının bu zararlı etkileri kısmen sınırlayarak testiküler doku bütünlüğünün korunmasına katkı sağladığı belirlenmiştir. Bu sonuçlar, endemik bitkilerin üreme sağlığı ve toksisiteye karşı biyomedikal potansiyellerine ışık tutmaktadır.

Keywords

• Diplotaenia turcica kök ekstraktı
• Katalaz
• MDA
• Metotreksat
• Sperm parametreleri

Investigation of the Effects of Diplotaenia turcica Root Extract on Sperm Parameters and Antioxidant Markers in Methotrexate-Administered Rats

Abstract

This experimental study was designed to evaluate the potential toxic effects of Methotrexate (MTX), an antineoplastic agent, on sperm parameters and antioxidant defense mechanisms in rats, as well as to assess the protective potential of Diplotaenia turcica, an endemic plant species from Turkey. A total of 21 male Wistar albino rats weighing 250–300 g was included in the study and randomly assigned to three groups of seven animals each. The control group received only physiological saline solution. The MTX group was administered a single intraperitoneal dose of 20 mg/kg MTX. In the MTX + Diplotaenia turcica root extract group, following MTX injection, the plant extract was given orally at 150 mg/kg daily throughout the study. At the end of the 7-day period, testicular tissues were collected under ketamine anesthesia. Sperm concentration and the percentage of abnormal sperm were assessed using samples obtained from the cauda epididymis, while portions of testicular tissue were used for biochemical analyses, including measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione (GSH) content, and catalase (CAT) activity. The results demonstrated that MTX administration significantly impaired sperm parameters, with a notable decrease in sperm concentration and an increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm. Additionally, MTX elevated MDA levels and reduced GSH content and CAT activity. Administration of Diplotaenia turcica root extract partially alleviated these adverse effects, contributing to the preservation of testicular tissue integrity. These findings underscore the biomedical potential of endemic plants in supporting reproductive health and protecting against toxic insults.

Keywords

• Diplotaenia turcica root extract
• Catalase
• MDA
• Methotrexate
• Sperm parameters

Ethical Statement

The study was conducted following the approval of the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments at Van Yuzuncu Yil University (Date: 26/06/2025; Ethics Approval No: 2025/07-12).

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