Royal Jelly Reverses Oxidative Damage to Testes

Antioxidative Effect of Royal Jelly in Cisplatin-Induced Testes Damage
Urology, Published Online 17 July, 2009

Objectives - To investigate the antioxidative effect of royal jelly on cisplatin (CP)-induced spermiotoxicity using quantitative, biochemical, and histopathologic approaches.

Methods - CP was administered to rats at a single dose of 7 mg/kg i.p. Royal jelly was administered by gavage daily for 10 days at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Traits of reproductive organs, such as sperm characteristics, testicular histologic findings, plasma testosterone levels, and testicular tissue oxidative stress status were determined.

Results - Royal jelly ameliorated the CP-induced reductions in weights of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, and prostate along with epididymal sperm concentration and motility. An increase in testes malondialdehyde concentrations were detected, while significant decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-peroxidase levels were noted in CP-alone group compared with control group. The administration of royal jelly to CP-treated rats decreased the malondialdehyde level and increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-peroxidase activities in the samples.

Conclusions - The CP-induced changes in histopathologic findings of testis were partially reversed by treatment with royal jelly. The results provide further insight into the mechanisms of CP-induced sperm toxicity and confirm the antioxidant potential of royal jelly.