Work

Cycloastragenol Attenuates Cisplatin‐Induced Ovarian Toxicity in Rats: Associations With TERT Expression, Apoptotic Balance, and FOXO3a–mTOR‐Related Signaling

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cisplatin (CIS)-induced ovarian toxicity is characterized by follicular depletion, apoptosis, and disruption of intracellular survival signaling. This study investigated whether cycloastragenol (CAG), a telomerase-associated bioactive compound, attenuates CIS-induced ovarian injury in rats. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to two vehicle-control groups and CAG, CIS, or CIS + CAG groups for 15 days. Vehicle controls were pooled after confirming no significant differences. Ovarian morphology and follicle counts were evaluated histologically. Immunohistochemical analyses included PCNA, caspase-3, total FOXO3a, phospho-FOXO3a (Ser253), total mTOR, BAX, BCL-2, and TERT. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone and telomerase-related measurements were assessed by ELISA, and relative telomere length was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. CIS reduced primordial follicle numbers, increased follicular atresia, enhanced BAX expression, reduced BCL-2 and TERT immunoreactivity, and increased the BAX/BCL-2 ratio. CAG co-treatment significantly attenuated the changes in BAX, BCL-2, the BAX/BCL-2 ratio, and TERT. Nuclear phospho-FOXO3a was significantly lower in the CIS + CAG group than in the CIS group, whereas cytoplasmic phospho-FOXO3a did not differ significantly. Total mTOR and caspase-3 were numerically reduced by CAG co-treatment but did not remain significant after multiple-comparison correction. PCNA, total FOXO3a, and serum AMH showed partial or nonsignificant recovery. Relative telomere length did not differ among groups. CAG partially attenuated CIS-induced ovarian injury and apoptotic imbalance and was associated with restoration of ovarian TERT immunoreactivity and modulation of phospho-FOXO3a localization. However, these findings do not establish a causal telomerase-FOXO3a-mTOR mechanism.

Source: Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology

DOI: 10.1002/jbt.71152

Authors: Gökçe Nur Arık Erol, Atiye Seda Yar, Gülnur Take Kaplanoğlu

Institution: Gazi University

Language: English

Topic: Reproductive Biology and Fertility

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,020