Protective effects of honeysuckle extract against the UVB-induced radiation damage to reproductive system in male mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of honeysuckle extract against the Ultraviolet B( UVB)- induced radiation damage to reproductive system in male mice. Sixty male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups,the blank control group,the honeysuckle extract single treatment group,the radiation model group and the honeysuckle extract low,middle,high dosage- treated groups. The mice in honeysuckle extract single treatment group and low,middle,high dosage- treated groups were given 400,200,400 and 600 mg·kg- 1·d- 1honeysuckle extract by intragastric administration respectively. The blank control and radiation model group were given normal saline.The mice were all given orally in the morning. The rest of the four groups were given 3 hours of UVB( 285 nm) radiation in the afternoon except the blank control and honeysuckle extract single treatment group.After 30 days,the testis to body ratio,sperm motility rates,histopathological changes in testis,the SOD activity and MDA content of testicular tissue were determined. When compared to the blank control group,the testis to body ratio and sperm motility rates of mice in the radiation model group declined significantly( p < 0.05). The spermatogenic epitheliums were loosely- arranged and spermatogenic cells were fell into the tubules,the SOD activity degraded and MDA content raised significantly as well( p < 0.01). The testis to body ratio,SOD activity increased,MDA content decreased significantly in the honeysuckle extract single treatment group( p < 0.05). Compared to the radiation model group,with the increase of honeysuckle extract dosage,the testis to body ratio and the sperm motility rates in the honeysuckle extract- treated groups raised significantly( p <0.05),the spermatogenic epitheliums were more and more impact,the SOD activity raised and the MDA content of testicular tissue degraded notably( p < 0.01),and all these changes showed obvious dose- effect relationship.Theresults suggest that honeysuckle extract had protective effects against the UVB- induced radiation damage to reproductive system in male mice.