EXPLORING THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CHINAR (PLATANUS ORIENTALIS L.) LEAF ON TESTES DAMAGE INDUCED BY ETHANOL IN RAT MODEL

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of an infusion obtained from dried Chinar (Platanus orientalis L.; PO) leaves against ethanol (EtOH)-induced damage in rat testes. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups, as the Control, EtOH 20%, EtOH 20% + Silymarin (10 mg/kg/day), EtOH 20% + PO-20 mg/mL infusion, and EtOH 20% + PO-60 mg/mL infusion. Histopathologically, treatment with PO-60 leaf infusion resulted in improvements in EtOH-induced damage in the testes by inhibiting the depletion of germ cells and loss of spermatozoa. Immunohistochemically, an increase in the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and caspase-3 was observed in the EtOH group. Treatment with the PO extract markedly reduced the EtOH-induced expression of eNOS and caspase-3 in the EtOH 20% + PO-60 group. According to the biochemical results, both of the PO infusion treatments caused a decrease in the malondialdehyde levels compared to the EtOH group. On the other hand, the glutathione contents in the treatment groups were significantly higher than ethanol group. Fluctuations in antioxidant defense enzyme activities were determined. PO leaf might have a protective role against EtOH-induced testicular damage in rats by inducing apoptosis via the upregulation of eNOS expression and preventing lipid peroxidation. Keywords: Platanus orientalis; eNOS; caspase-3; Ethanol; Immunohistochemistery