Investigation of the protective effects of myricitrin and chebulinic acid on testes exposed to gamma radiation

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential protective effects of myricitrin and chebulinic acid against gamma radiation-induced testicular damage. Methods: Thirty-six 12-week-old Wistar Albino male rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, gamma, myricitrin, chebulinic acid, gamma+myricitrin, and gamma+chebulinic acid. The gamma groups were exposed to 16 mGy of radiation for 1 hour daily over 10 days. Antioxidants were administered intraperitoneally at 0.033 mg/kg for 10 days. Testes were analyzed using stereological and histopathological techniques, and bioinformatic analyses were performed to evaluate gene expression and signaling pathway alterations. Results: In the stereological analyses, a decrease in the volume of the testes and seminiferous tubules and in the number of spermatogenic and Leydig cells was observed in the gamma group. Cell numbers and testicular volumetric values were increased in the groups treated with myricitrin (particularly) or chebulinic acid. In the histopathological analyses, degenerated cells and irregular seminiferous tubule structures were noted in the gamma group. In contrast, the seminiferous tubule architecture in both antioxidant-treated groups resembled that of the control group, and the number of degenerated cells was reduced compared to the gamma group. Bioinformatic analyses highlighted significant involvement of tumor necrosis factor-α and related intracellular proteins in radiation-induced damage. Conclusion: Overall, both antioxidants alleviated testicular injury caused by gamma radiation, with myricitrin demonstrating comparatively greater protective efficacy.