We studied the protective effect of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) against damage caused by busulfan on testis in male mice. The NMRI mice (n = 40) were assigned to four groups including: G1: control, G2: treated with busulfan for 4 days (3.2 mg kg(-1)), G3: receive busulfan (4 days, 3.2 mg kg(-1)) and SKEO (28 days, 225 mg kg(-1)) at the same time, G4: pre-treated with SKEO (7 days, 225 mg kg(-1)) and subsequently cotreated with busulfan (4 days, 3.2 mg kg(-1)) and SKEO (28 days, 225 mg kg(-1)). The histological changes of testis were analysed using H&E staining. Sperm parameters, cytotoxic and apoptotic factors were also studied by computer-aided sperm analyzer, MTT and TUNEL assays respectively. Our results showed that SKEO pre-administration significantly improved all parameters of epididymal spermatozoa and decreased germinal epithelium destruction following busulfan chemotherapy. We also found lower MTT levels and TUNEL-positive cells in SKEO pre-treated groups. In conclusion, SKEO possesses beneficial effects on sperm parameters when taken before chemotherapy and continued during and after chemotherapy for a long time, than when used short-term coinciding with the chemotherapy. Our results support valuable data about the application of SKEO for protection against adverse effects of busulfan on male genital system in patients under chemotherapy.

SKEO: Satureja Khuzestanica essential oil; SOD: superoxide dismutase; GPx: glutathione peroxidase; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; GC-MS: gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; TdT: terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase; TUNEL: terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling; ROS: reactive oxygen species.

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