Background and aim:
Toluene is a common aromatic hydrocarbon which could be toxic tovarious organs including the female reproductive system. Vitex agnus-castus, a traditionalremedy for women's health issues, is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. This studyaimed to investigate the effects of vitex agnus-castus extract on tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)expression in the toluene-induced toxicity in mice ovaries.Materials and methods: Fifty-six mice were randomly divided into seven groups includingcontrol, sham, TL, TL+۱۰۰, TL+۲۰۰, Ext۱۰۰, and Ext۲۰۰. The TL group, received an injectionof toluene at a dose of ۱۰۰mg/kg while the TL+۱۰۰ and TL+۲۰۰ groups, received toluene alongwith vitex agnus-castus extract at doses of ۱۰۰mg/kg and ۲۰۰mg/kg, respectively. GroupsExt۱۰۰ and Ext۲۰۰ received only ۱۰۰mg/kg and ۲۰۰mg/kg of the vitex agnus-castus extract,respectively. After ۲۱ days of treatment, the mice were sacrificed and the ovary tissues wereisolated. Then the total RNA was extracted from the ovaries and the cDNA was synthesized bycommercial Kits. Finally, the
TNF-α gene expression was evaluated in different groups by realtime-PCR method.Results: Our data revealed that the
TNF-α gene was upregulated in the TL group, but thisincrease was not statistically significant. The expression of the
TNF-α gene in the Ext۲۰۰ groupwas downregulated vs. the sham and control groups, but this reduction did not reach statisticalsignificance. However, no change was observed in the expression of the
TNF-α gene in TL+۱۰۰,TL+۲۰۰, and Ext۱۰۰ groups, vs. the control and sham groups.Conclusion: Based on the results, the toluene and vitex agnus-castus extract could not changethe expression of
TNF-α in mice ovaries. However, toluene may alter other inflammatorymarkers, potentially modulated by vitex agnus-castus extract. So, further studies on otherinflammatory genes are suggested to elucidate toluene-induced inflammation and also vitexagnus-castus extract’s anti-inflammatory effects.