Therapeutic Effect of Thymoquinone against Methotrexate-Induced Damage on Sperm Parameters in Mice

Background: Methotrexate drug is commonlyused to treat cancer and caused reproductivedamage. Thymoquinone, as a natural componentof herbs has many healthy benefits shown inresearches. The present study amid to investigateprobable therapeutic effect of Thymoquinoneagainst Methotrexate- induced damage on spermparameters in mice.Material and Methods:In this experimental study, 30 male mice (25-30g) were divided into five groups of six in each. Themice were received normal saline (control group),Methotrexate (20 mg/kg), Methotrexate(20mg/kg) + Thymoquinone (2, 10 and 20mg/kg)by intraperitoneal injection. On the day after thelast injection, the sperm parameters includingmotility, viability and count of sperms wereassessed. Data analysis was performed using onewayANOVA followed by Turkey test.Results: Methotrexate alone leaded to asignificant reduction in sperm parameterscompared to the control group (P=0.00). In groupstreated with Methotrexate and Thymoquinone,sperm parameters (motility ,viability, countsperm) did not showed any significant differenceswith control group (P=0.00).Conclusion: Thymoquinone, as a potentantioxidant, could compensate for the toxicityinduced by Methotrexate. These medical trendmay be useful for diminish the side effects ofMethotrexate on male reproductive system.

Keywords:

Thymoquinone , Methotrexate , Sperm , Mice