The protective effect of baicalin against cyclophosphamide-induced testicular damage in rats.

BACKGROUND

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent; however, its clinical application is often limited by significant reproductive toxicity, particularly testicular damage. Baicalin (BAI) has demonstrated broad pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of BAI on testicular damage induced by CTX in rats.

METHODS

Network pharmacology was used to identify the core targets of BAI-testis damage. Animal experiments were conducted using 30 SPF-grade 7-week-old SD rats divided into a control group (Control), a CTX group, a low-dose BAI group (BAI-L), a medium-dose BAI group (BAI-M), and a high-dose BAI group (BAI-H), with six rats in each group. Molecular docking, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot were used to validate the core targets of network pharmacology. H&E staining was performed to observe testicular tissue damage. The levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-10, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde in the testes and the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone in the serum were measured. Immunofluorescence was used to detect germ, supporting, and interstitial cells in the testes.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology identified 127 common targets between BAI and testicular damage. BAI acts on Ptgs2, Gsk3b, and Pparg targets. Molecular docking and animal experiments indicated that BAI exhibits strong binding affinity with Ptgs2, Gsk3b, and Pparg. Animal experiments showed that BAI can improve CTX-induced pathological tissue damage, reduce inflammatory responses, and alleviate oxidative stress in rat testes. BAI can repair CTX-induced damage to germ cells, supporting cells, interstitial cells, and repaired reproductive hormones, with the extent of repair showing a dose-dependent relationship.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of BAI in alleviating CTX-induced reproductive toxicity, and BAI can be used to reduce the side effects of CTX.