Protective effect of baicalin on methotrexate-induced mitochondrial damage in testicular tissues of rats

Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used as a chemotherapeutic drug against cancer but its efficacy is limited due to its side effects. Baicalin is a flavonoid that has potent antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate baicalin’s protective effect on MTX-induced mitochondrial damage in testicular tissues of rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: control, MTX, MTX + baicalin, and baicalin alone. The activities of enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase was significantly lowered in the MTX treated group, compared to the other groups. Concomitantly, MTX group also showed elevated the levels of reactive oxygen species and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the testicular mitochondria. Furthermore, MTX group also showed reduced the activities of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes, i.e., succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. The actions of electron transport chain (ETC) complexes (I-IV), as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), were also reduced the MTX group. However, baicalin treatment reversed the damaging effect of MTX in the mitochondria of testicular tissues. The baicalin treatment potentially reduced the damaging impact of MTX in isolated mitochondria from testicular tissues. Thus, the current study revealed that the baicalin has conspicuous potential to attenuate the MTX induced mitochondrial damage in rat’s testicular tissues.