Effect of Ascorbic Acid and Menthone on the Caspase 3 in the Sperm Cells of Acyclovir Treated Rats

Abstract

Background and aim: Acyclovir (ACV) is a common drug used for treatment of Herpes virus infection. In this study, the role of this drug on apoptosis in rat spermatozoa was investigated along with the effectiveness of two herbal antioxidants of vitamin C (VC) and menthone in the prevention of ACV adverse effects was compared. Materials and methods: Albino Wister adult male rats with mean weight of 200-250 g were divided randomly into six groups. Treatment groups consisted of acyclovir (ACV) at the dose of 15mg/kg/d, ACV (15mg/kg/d) and VC at the dose of 20mg/kg/d, ACV (15mg/kg/d) and menthone at the dose of 100 mu l/d, ACV (15mg/kg/d) and menthone at the dose of250 mu l/d, ACV (15mg/kg/d) and menthone at the dose of 400 mu l/d and control group ended the trial period without any treatment. The animals were anesthetized and epididymal sperm cells from each rats were isolated in PBS to evaluate the expression of caspase3 enzyme by flow cytometry method. Results: The present results demonstrated a very strong supportive, protective effect along with impressive anti-apoptotic role of VC. The expression level of caspase 3 in VC receiving group was close to normal levels. Menthone, another antioxidant compound in the high dose level showed to have a strong anti-apoptotic power, against changes induced by ACV.