therapeutic effect of thymoquinone against methotrexate-induced damage on sperm parameters in mice

background: methotrexate drug is commonly used to treat cancer and caused reproductive

damage. thymoquinone, as a natural component of herbs has many healthy benefits shown in researches. the present study amid to investigate probable therapeutic effect of thymoquinone against methotrexate- induced damage on sperm parameters in mice.

material and methods: in this experimental study, 30 male mice (25-30 g) were divided into five groups of six in each. the mice were received normal saline (control group), methotrexate (20 mg/kg), methotrexate (20mg/kg) + thymoquinone (2, 10 and 20 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. on the day after the last injection, the sperm parameters including motility, viability and count of sperms were assessed. data analysis was performed using oneway anova followed by turkey test.

results: methotrexate alone leaded to a significant reduction in sperm parameters compared to the control group (p=0.00). in groups treated with methotrexate and thymoquinone, sperm parameters (motility ,viability, count sperm) did not showed any significant differences with control group (p=0.00).

conclusion: thymoquinone, as a potent antioxidant, could compensate for the toxicity induced by methotrexate. these medical trend may be useful for diminish the side effects of methotrexate on male reproductive system.