Aggravation of cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity in mice by aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos (L.)

ABSTRACT Aegle marmelos (L.) (Rutaceae) commonly known as bael is an important medicinal fruit tree. The present study focused on the effects of aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos (AEAM) on the testis and sperm characteristics induced by cyclophosphamide (CPA) in mice. Thirty six adult Parke’s strain mice were divided into six groups: group I given only distilled water (control); group II administered with AEAM alone once in a week for five weeks; group III administered with CPA (200 mg/kg b.w., intraperitoneally) once in a week for five weeks and group IV-VI CPA along with AEAM (400, 500 and 600 mg/kg b.w., orally). CPA was found to reduce gonadosomatic index (GSI), sperm counts, motility, viability, antioxidant activities and induced histopathological changes of testis. In the group administered AEAM with CPA an exacerbation of sperm count, motility and viability of the cauda epididymis, GSI, antioxidant activities and architecture of testis was observed. The results suggest that the administration of AEAM may aggravate CPA-induced reproductive toxicity. It may be helpful in preparation of natural male contraceptives.

摘要：孟加拉木橘（Aegle marmelos (L.)，芸香科（Rutaceae）），俗称bael，是一种重要的药用果树。本研究聚焦于孟加拉木橘水提物（aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos，AEAM）对环磷酰胺（cyclophosphamide，CPA）诱导的小鼠睾丸及精子特性变化的影响。将36只成年帕克系小鼠分为6组：第I组仅给予蒸馏水（对照组）；第II组每周单次给予AEAM，连续给药5周；第III组每周单次给予CPA（200 mg/kg 体重，腹腔注射），连续给药5周；第IV至VI组在给予CPA的同时，分别以400、500及600 mg/kg体重的剂量经口给予AEAM。研究发现，CPA可降低小鼠的性腺系数（gonadosomatic index，GSI）、精子数量、活力、存活率及抗氧化活性，并诱导睾丸组织出现病理组织学改变。在CPA联合AEAM给药组中，观察到附睾尾精子数量、活力、存活率、GSI、抗氧化活性及睾丸组织结构的损伤均进一步加剧。研究结果表明，给予AEAM可能会加剧CPA诱导的生殖毒性，其或可用于天然男性避孕药的研发制备。