Protective Role of Royal Jelly and Honey against Cisplatin Induced Sperm Function Parameters in Male Rats

Abstract

Background: Cisplatin is one of the cytotoxic agents in the treatment of cancer and has side effects on sperm function. Objective: This study aims to investigate the ameliorative role of dietary bee honey and royal jelly against cisplatin-induced alterations in sperm function parameters in male wistar albino rat. Methods: Male wistar albino rats of same age and weight were randomly divided into four groups; G, I: control group which was given 0.9% saline, G: II: cisplatin (7 mg/kg/d) was injected intraperitoneally for 15 d, G, III bee honey with royal jelly (500 mg/kg/d of honey and 100 mg/kg/d of royal jelly) fed orally daily for 15 d, G, IV: cisplatin (7 mg/kg/d) was injected intraperitoneally and honey (500 mg/kg/d) and royal Jelly (100 mg/kg/d) fed orally daily for 15 d. The sperm function parameters like sperm count, sperm viability, sperm motility, weight of epididymis and testis were measured by using a hemocytometer under the microscope at 100X magnification. Results: Cisplatin treated rats revealed a significant decrease in sperm count, sperm viability, sperm motility, weight of epididymis and testis as compared to control group. Royal jelly and honey treated group of rats revealed a significant increase in all sperm function parameters compared to control group. Dietary bee honey with royal jelly along with cisplatin-treated rats revealed significant increase as compared to animals treated with cisplatin (G, II). Conclusion: Bee honey and royal jelly could be used as dietary preventive natural products against cisplatin induced sperm function parameters alterations during the treatment of cancer.