The protective effect of Fumaria officinalis against the testicular toxicity of fluoxetine in rat

Abstract

Background and objective: Extracts of Fumaria species have been traditionally used for the treatment of some skin diseases, rheumatism, stomach ache, fever, and male infertility mainly because of the presence of isoquinoline alkaloids. On the other side, fluoxetine is used as an antidepressant induce sexual dysfunction and a decrease in sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. The present investigation dealt with the study of the protective role played by the Fumaria officinalis extract against the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) induced testicular toxicity in the rat. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to determine the benefits of Fumaria officinalis extract in animals treated with fluoxetine. Methods: Thirty six male rats were divided into three following groups, control group, fluoxetine (20 mg/kg/day) treated-group, and the same dose of Fluoxetine plus Fumaria officinalis extract (150 mg/kg/day) as a third group. Drugs and extract were administered orally for 30 days. Sections of testes were stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin. Results: Fluoxetine has caused several structural changes in the rat testis such as vacuolation within germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules, decrease the diameter of these tubules and decrease number of sertoli and germinal cells. Treating the fluoxetine exposed rats with Fumaria officinalis extract has shown to ameliorate the above histological changes. Conclusion: Fumaria officinalis extract can protect testis from histological alterations caused by the toxicity of the fluoxetine.