Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Cisplatin (CP), an anticancer alkylating agent which can clinically cure testicular and ovarian cancer, has been reported to
have serious toxic effects on the reproductive system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective
effect of Wuling San (WLS) on CP-treated reproductive toxicity and compare the protective effect of WLS powder with that
of a decoction. Male mice were given WLS powder (0.78, 2.34, 7.02 g/kg), WLS decoction or vitamin C (positive control)
intragastrically twice a day for 14 consecutive days. CP was injected once a day, starting on day 9, for 5 consecutive days. The
testes ratio, spermatic DNA damage, sperm DNA integrity, sperm count, sperm viability and a histopathological examination of
the testis were carried out on day 14. A sperm abnormality test was carried out on day 35. The results obtained showed that WLS
significantly reduced the rate of sperm DNA damage and the presence of abnormal sperm, increased the sperm count and sperm
viability and the number of integral DNA sperm, and improved the testicular tissue morphology in the CP-exposed mice. In
addition, there was no significant difference between the WLS powder and decoction on the protective effect against CP-treated
reproductive toxicity. These results demonstrated that both WLS and its decoction had a protective effect against CP-treated
reproductive toxicity in male mice and this will provide a reliable experimental basis for clinical drug treatment.

Key words: Wuling San, cisplatin, reproductive toxicity, sperm