Investigation of the healing effects of D-limonene on ovarian ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Ovarian ischemia, most commonly caused by torsion, represents a critical gynecological emergency. Oxidative stress is central to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), highlighting the importance of investigating antioxidant therapies such as D-limonene. This study evaluates the protective effects of D-limonene in a rat model of ovarian IRI. Twenty-four adult female Wistar albino rats were assigned to four groups: Sham (laparotomy only), Ischemia/Reperfusion (IR; laparotomy followed by 2-h ischemia and 2-h reperfusion), Limonene 50 mg/kg (L50; laparotomy followed by 2-h ischemia, administration of 50 mg/kg D-limonene 30 min before reperfusion, and 2-hour reperfusion), and Limonene 100 mg/kg (L100; same protocol with 100 mg/kg D-limonene). Ovarian samples were collected 2 h after reperfusion for oxidative stress parameters (TAS, TOS, OSI, MDA, SOD, NO), histopathological, and TUNEL assay evaluations. MDA and TOS levels were significantly lower in the treatment groups compared to the IR group (p < 0.05). SOD, NO, and TAS levels were higher in the treatment groups than in the IR group, although these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Histopathological evaluations demonstrated reduced edema, vascular congestion, hemorrhage, leukocyte infiltration, and follicular degeneration in the treatment groups compared to the IR group. TUNEL assays revealed fewer apoptotic cells in the treatment groups. In conclusion, D-limonene significantly reduces ovarian injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion, exerting antioxidant effects and protecting against apoptosis.