Investigating the Effects of Alpinia officinarum Alcoholic Extract on Rat Testis Tissue Exposed to Carboplatin

Introduction: In individuals receiving chemotherapy, reproductive impairment arises not only from the disease itself but also from the medications used to treat it. Carboplatin has been documented to affect reproductive function and sexual behavior in individuals who receive it. Alpinia officinarum contains flavonoids with various biological effects, including antioxidant properties and fertility-enhancing potential. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti-infertility efficacy of A. officinarum alcoholic extract against carboplatin-induced testicular toxicity. Methods: A total of ۳۶ rats were randomly assigned to six groups: control, carboplatin alone (۵۰ mg/kg), A. officinarum alone (۵۰ and ۱۰۰ mg/kg), and carboplatin combined with low -or high- dose A. officinarum. The treatment period lasted ۲۸ days, after which the rats were weighed. Following dissection, their testicles were excised and weighed. The following parameters were assessed: tubular differentiation index (TDI), spermiogenesis index (SPI), repopulation index (RI), Sertoli cell index, meiosis index, seminiferous tubules integrity, and organization of the testicular epithelium. Results: Animals in the carboplatin group exhibited a significant reduction in body weight and testis weight compared to the control group (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Additionally, all markers of testicular integrity and activity differed significantly from those of the control group (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Moreover, the groups receiving A. officinarum showed a remarkable improvement in these parameters compared with the carboplatin group (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: A. officinarum can play a protective role against carboplatin-induced tissue damage in rats.