Evaluation of the protective effects of oil extracted from Acrocomia aculeata after induced reproductive toxicity by cyclophosphamide in male rats

• Grant number: 14/12422-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2014
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Arielle Cristina Arena
• Grantee: Mariana de Castro Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CFA) is extensively used as chemotherapeutic agent in clinical practice for the treatment of cancers. However, this compound causes several adverse effects including reproductive toxicity. As alternative to minimize these adverse effects, the CFA is normally used in combination with antioxidants. Acrocomia aculeata is a common species of palm savanna, known traditionally as food and medicinally to treat cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The oil pulp of A. aculeata has similar chemical composition to olive oil, indicating possesses bioactive compounds that can act as antioxidants. This study aims to evaluate if the oil extracted from this species can avoid or minimize reproductive toxicity induced by CFA. Adult male rats will be divided into 7 groups (n = 10): 1. Negative Control (V) treated with vehicle; 2. Positive Control (CFA): CFA-treated (100 mg/kg/day); 3. CFA + Beta-carotene (CB): treated with CFA (100 mg/kg/day) and Beta-carotene (10 mg/kg/day); 3. A. aculeata (A3): treated with oil pulp of A. aculeata (3 mg/kg/day); 4. A. aculeata (A30): treated with oil pulp of A. aculeata (30 mg/kg/day); 5. A3 + CFA: treated with CFA (100 mg/kg/day) and the oil pulp of A. aculeata (3 mg/kg/day) and 6. A30 + CFA: treated with CFA (100 mg/kg/day) and the oil pulp of A. aculeata (30 mg/kg/day). The treatments will be administered by gavage for 35 days. After treatment will be assessed the following parameters: hormonal dosage, sperm count and morphology and histology of testis and epididymis.