Quercetin attenuates cisplatin-induced ovarian toxicity in rats: Emphasis on anti-oxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities

Ovarian toxicity is a devastating adverse effect of cisplatin therapy. The objective of the current study was to address whether or not quercetin could protect against cisplatin-induced ovarian toxicity in rats as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. Rats were allocated into five groups. Group 1 represented the control, group 2 was administered quercetin (10 mg/kg), group 3 received cisplatin (6 mg/kg single i.p. dose) on days 7 and 14, the forth group was given cisplatin + quercetin (5 mg/kg) and the fifth group was administered cisplatin + quercetin (10 mg/kg). Quercetin ameliorated cisplatin-induced histopathological changes in ovarian tissues and significantly prevented the decline in the percentage of healthy follicles and serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Quercetin exhibited significant anti-oxidant effects evidenced by preventing MDA accumulation, glutathione depletion and superoxide and glutathione peroxidase exhaustion in the ovary. Also, quercetin displayed activities against cisplatin-induced inflammatory responses in the ovary. Quercetin significantly inhibited expression of NFκb, Cox-2 and IL-6 and elevated ovarian content of TNF-α. Further, quercetin showed anti-apoptotic activity as demonstrated by decreased caspase-3 content and modulation of Bax and Bcl2 expression in the ovary. Conclusively, quercetin protects against cisplatin-induced ovarian toxicity in rats. This is mediated, at least partly, by its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities.