Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Effects of Primula vulgaris L. Against Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Damage in Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of Primula vulgaris extract against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular damage. In this study, 4 groups were formed with 8 rats in each group. Rats in group 1 were given 0.8 mg/kg physiological serum via gavage for 7 days. The rats in group 2 were administered a single dose (30 mg/kg) of MTX intraperitoneally on the first day of the study. The rats in group 3 were administered a single dose (30 mg/kg) of MTX on the first day of the study and then 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract via gavage for 7 days starting from the first day. The rats in group 4 were given 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract via gavage for 7 days. On the 8th day, the testicles and epididymis of the rats were removed under anesthesia and their blood was collected. The removed testicles were used for histological and biochemical analyses. When group 2 was compared with group 1, it was determined that seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, sperm count, motility, vitality, and Johnsen scoring values decreased; tubule number that immature cells sloughed into the lumen and apoptotic index (AI) increased. In group 3, it was observed that seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, sperm count, motility, vitality, and Johnsen scoring values increased; tubule number that immature cells sloughed into the lumen and AI decreased compared to group 2. When group 2 was compared with group 1, it was found that MDA values increased, and SOD and CAT values decreased in blood plasma and testicular tissue. According to the study results, it was determined that MTX caused damage to the testicle by creating oxidative stress, while Primula vulgaris reduced this damage thanks to its antioxidant effects.