Summer Savory Effectively Combats with Anti-androgenic Activities of Doxorubicin in Rats

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX), one of the most efficient anti-cancer agents widely used in oncology protocols, is associated with a higher risk of gonadal damages. The aim of this study was to disclose the androgenic consequences of Satureja hortensis hydroalcoholic extract (SE) administration in DOX-exposed rats.Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four equal groups. Doxorubicin was administered to two groups of rats in 5 equal intraperitoneal injections over a period of 4 weeks (accumulated dose of 20 mg/kg). One of these groups received SE at a dose of 100 mg/kg per day subcutaneously for 28 days along with DOX. A vehicle-treated control group and a SE control group were also included.Result: Doxorubicin therapy resulted in significant reductions in serum concentration of testosterone and Leydig cell numbers. Notably, SE co-treatment markedly inhibited anti-androgenic activities of DOX.Conclusion: Although our findings are based on a rodent model, the results highlight the fact that SE can be a promising agent against DOX-related androgenic disturbances.

کلیدواژه ها:

Doxorubicin ، Leydig Cell ، Rat ، Testosterone ، Savory