Objective: In this study we evaluated the influence of Alpinia officinarum rhizome extract (AO) on the alleviation of testicular damage induced by cisplatin in rats.
Methods: The study groups included the control group, AO-administered group, cisplatin-administered group, and three groups administered with cisplatin and AO (different concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). On the 14th day we removed the testes of the rats, and the testicular organ parameters were measured. Moreover, through the malondialdehyde concentration we assessed the oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the testes and ran a histopathological analysis.
Results: The results demonstrated that cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and severe testicular damage on the AO-administered group showed no harm compared with the control group. AO- treatment in cisplatin-received rats led to the reduction of oxidative stress, enhancement of SOD activity, and prevention of testicular damage. The lowest testis damage was attributed to the group which received 400 mg/kg of AO compared to 100 and 200 mg/kg.
Conclusions: Overall, the Cis+/AO+400 group had the best antioxidant effect. The findings could lead to changes in cancer care guidelines that incorporate phytochemicals, making cancer therapies safer.
Keywords: Alpinia officinarum rhizome extract; chemotherapy; cisplatin; testis damage.