Protective Effect of Oleuropein on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Ovarian Damage

Background: 5-fluorouracil is one of the chemotherapy drugs that has destructive effects on body tissues such as the heart, liver, kidney, brain and reproductive system in humans and animals.Reproductive dysfunction is considered to be an important side effect of chemotherapy drugs such as 5fluorouracil (5-FU).This study was designed to assess the effects of Oleuropein (OLE) against 5-FU-induced ovarian toxicity.Methods: 24 adult female rats (weighing 200-225 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (N= 6) with a treatment period of 14 days including the control group, 5-FU (100 mg/kg/week, IP), OLE (200 mg/kg/day, IP), 5-FU + OLE group, administrated 5-FU (100 mg/kg/week) with OLE (200 mg/kg/day).After treatment, blood samples were collected for the measurement of female sexual hormones, and ovarian samples were taken for histological assessment.Results: 5-FU significantly decreased female sexual hormones.Also, it caused tissue damage in the ovary, as 5-FU-administered rats had degenerated follicles and hemorrhage.While the administration of OLE significantly increased the estradiol, and progesterone (p< 0.05) levels and improved ovarian pathological changes.Conclusion: Oleuropein reduces 5-fluorouracil -induced reproductive toxicity in female rats.