Abstract

Many tests have been done to ameliorate the side effects caused by doxorubicin (DXR) chemotherapy. Croton cajucara is a plant that presents several biological beneficial properties. The aim of this study was to verify whether C. cajucara methanolic extract (EMeOH) prevents the DXR-induced testicular alterations and whether presents mutagenic or antimutagenic activities. Mice received DXR combined or not with EMeOH (312.5, 625 or 1250 mg/Kg) for 5 weeks. The fertility index and the micronucleous assay were realized in the male mice. The testes were removed and embedding in paraffin for the stereological and morphometric analyses. There were significant reductions in all parameters analyzed in the mice treated with DXR alone or with EMeOH. The plant extract doses evaluated presented no mutagenicity, antimutagenic properties and reduction of the DNA damage. Thus, EMeOH did not ameliorate the DXR-testicular damage, but the mutagenicity tests indicate a possible chemoprotective action of this plant extract.

Key words: Croton, testis, seminiferous tubules, spermatogenesis, chemotherapy, doxorubicin, mutagenicity tests.

Abbreviation

DXR, doxorubicin; EMeOH, Croton cajucara methanolic extract; DCTN,clerodane diterpene trans-dehydrocrotonin; DMSO, dimetyl sulfoxide solution.