Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapy medication used to treat different types of organs cancers. It has damaging effects on testes. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant, which is used primarily in the treatment of depression and other anxiety disorders. Ginger is a naturally growing plant with antioxidant properties. Thirty-six adult male albino rats, subdivided into six groups (six animals each) received treatment for 30 days. Group I (control) received saline solution orally; group II received mirtazapine (20 mg/kg). Group III received ginger (200 mg/kg/day), group IV received CP (7 mg/kg) IP single dose, at day 23rd, group V received mirtazapine (200 mg/day) orally till day 23rd, CP (7 mg/kg) IP at day 23rd, mirtazapine till day 30th, group VI received ginger (200 mg/Kg/day) orally till day 23rd, CP (7 mg/kg) IP at day 23rd, and then ginger at the previous dose till day 30th. This study examined the microscopic changes associated with CP and the possible testicular protective role of mirtazapine versus ginger of adult male rats. Mirtazapine and ginger resulted in cellular protection of testicular tissue as evident from microscopic changes including Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and Leydig cells. Ginger showed to have a more protective effect than mirtazapine on testicular tissue against CP treatment.
Keywords: Cisplatin; ginger; histopathology; mirtazapine; testicular damage.