Abstract
Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the expected beneficial effect of watermelon juice (WJ) on γ-radiation induced inflammation and testes tissue damage in rats.Methods: The values for total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl for WJ were detected. 28 Male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (seven rats in each group) as follows; Control group, WJ group (received WJ by oral gavage 100 mg/kg B.Wt. / day/ 6 weeks), group 3 and 4: Irradiated group only (6Gy; the 1st week) and irradiated and WJ group, respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical analysis and histopathological examination.Result: It has been found that γ-irradiation led to testicular oxidative stress accompanied by hormonal disturbance (elevation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and reduction of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels) and elevation of inflammatory factors (serum tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) ). Rats received WJ after exposure to γ-rays showed significantly less severe damage and remarkable improvement in all of the measured parameters and also restored the histological changes in the testis when compared to irradiated rats.