Fluted pumpkin seeds protect against busulfan-induced oxidative stress and testicular injuries in adult mice

Fluted pumpkin is traditionally claimed to improve fertility health of male adult subjects. This study evaluated the adjuvant protective potential of fluted pumpkin seeds (FPS) extract on the deleterious effects of busulfan on the testes. Tubular germ cell depletion was induced in the testis of mice by i.p. administration of busulfan (15 mg/kg body wt. two injections, seven days apart) and the effect of ethanolic extract of FPS (200 mg/kg body wt.) was investigated after 40 days of oral administration. Busulfan caused extensive damage to the seminiferous epithelium, decreased Johnsen's score index for spermatogenesis and number of Leydig cells (p < 0.05) in the interstitial areas. Co-treatment with FPS improves the testicular cyto-architecture and re-population of the seminiferous tubules with spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids (p < 0.05). Interestingly, administration of FPS increases Leydig cells count in the interstitial areas (p < 0.05) and plasma testosterone but not follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone concentrations. This study established that FPS prevented oxidative damage and increased the number of spermatogonia, spermatids, spermatocytes and Leydig cells thereby restoring spermatogenesis in busulfan-treated mice. Thus FPS is a potential complementary adjuvant during chemotherapy-induced tubular germ cell depletion.