Saponin ameliorates sertraline-induced testicular damage in male albino rats

The present study tries to shed light on the possible action of Saponin (SAP) to diminish the side effects induced by the antidepressant medication Sertraline (SRT) on male reproductive system. Forty male albino rats, Wistar strain, were divided into four groups (n=10). The control group received 0.5 ml of saline; the SRT group was administered 20 mg/kg b.wt. of SRT orally; the SAP group received 2.5 mg/kg b.wt. of SAP intraperitoneally; and the SRT+SAP group received both treatments at the same doses and manner of administration. All treatments were given once daily over 60 consecutive days. The results showed that co-treatment with SAP alongside SRT improved sperm characteristics (count, motility and rate of abnormal sperm), reduced oxidative stress by decreasing malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, and enhanced antioxidant activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, and total antioxidant activity. Furthermore, it ameliorated luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone levels, regulated apoptotic markers by increasing B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) and decreasing Caspase-3 expression. Moreover, it improved the testicular histological damage caused by SRT. These findings support that saponin played an ameliorative role in sertraline-induced testicular toxicity in male rats through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic features.