Protecting Spermatogenesis from Doxorubicin-Induced Damage: The Effects of Prunus laurocerasus on Oxidative Stress in an Animal Model

Objective: Chemotherapy treatments for cancer often lead to reproductive toxicity. This study aims to investigate the potential antioxidant effects of Prunus laurocerasus in reducing oxidative stress caused by the anticancer drug Doxorubicin (DOX) during chemotherapy, with a specific focus on preserving sperm production. Material-Method: Rats received varying doses of PLFE daily for two weeks, with a single administration of DOX given on the 13th day. Control groups included rats with no treatment, while damage groups were given only DOX. We assessed the protective effects of high (HD) and low (LD) doses of PLFE against DOX-induced damage by analyzing sperm parameters and antioxidant levels in testicular tissue. Results: Results showed that the DOX-only group had significantly higher Malondialdehyde (MDA), and dead sperm ratio also lower sperm count, and motility. Glutathione (GSH) level, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Catalase (CAT) activity, showed a decrease compared to all other groups. PLFE adjusted these parameters closer to the control values, but not the same as the control group. MDA levels and CAT activities decreased inversely, while SOD activities and GSH levels increased with higher doses. Conclusion: P. laurocerasus and its active compounds could be targets for developing treatments to preserve fertility and improve reproductive success post-chemotherapy. Further investigations are crucial for determining the optimal application duration and dosage, and to thoroughly understand the mechanism of action.