Protective effects of carvacrol against methotrexate-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

To investigate the effect of carvacrol (CAR) on methotrexate (MTX)-induced testis damage in rats. Twenty-four male rats were equally divided into three groups: group I control treatment; group II MTX-treated; group III MTX + CAR-treated. A single dose of CAR was administered intraperitoneally to group III on the first day of the experiment and a single dose of MTX was administered intraperitoneally to groups II and III on the second day of the experiment. The total duration of the experiment was 8 days. Blood samples and testis tissue were obtained from each animal for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), Total oxidant status (TOS), Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), and Oxidative stress index (OSI). Light microscopy was used to complete the histopathological examination of testis specimens from each animal. Analysis of serum and testis sampled revealed that MDA, TOS and OSI levels were significantly greater in the group receiving MTX alone relative to the control treated animals while the TAS level was significantly reduced in the MTX group when compared with the control group. The administration of CAR was associated with significantly decreased MDA, TOS, and OSI levels and increased TAS levels relative to the rats treated with MTX alone. All of these quantitative values demonstrate that CAR alleviates deleterious effects of MTX on testicular tissue. Use of antioxidants such as CAR may protect germ cells against oxidative stress and apoptosis when used in combination with MTX.