Background and Aim: Clinical efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used antineoplastic drug, is limited by causing damage to normal tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the possible protective effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp hydroalcoholic extract (CCE) on reproductive toxicity induced by DOX treatment.

Material and Methods: In this randomized controlled experimental study, 24 adult male mice were divided into groups of 6 animals. DOX was administered to two groups of the mice at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. One of these groups received CCE at a dose of 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally four hours after DOX treatment. This study also included two other groups: vehicle-treated control group and  a group which received only CCE. Epididymal sperm fertilizing capacity of all animals were evaluated after 35 days. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey test for post hoc comparisons.

Results: DOX treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the fertilization rate and embryonic development along with increased rate of embryo growth arrest. Concomitant administration of CCE with DOX, restored all mentioned parameters to normal values.

Conclusion: These findings suggested a possible potential role for CCE in the protection of DOX-induced reproductive toxicities.

Keywords: Citrullus colocynthis, Doxorubicin, Fertility, Sperm, Mouse

Received: Nov 07, 2015      Accepted: Jan 30, 2016