Protective efficacy of thymol in testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: A biochemical and histopathological evaluation
IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, vol.29, no.7, pp.1115-1121, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 29 Issue: 7
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.22038/ijbms.2026.91992.19847
- Journal Name: IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Index Islamicus, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Middle East & Africa Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Page Numbers: pp.1115-1121
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Objective(s): Testicular torsion represents a critical urological emergency, characterised by the rotation of the testicle around the spermatic cord and the only treatment option to prevent testicular loss is detorsion. Testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) may result from ischemia due to torsion and reperfusion due to detorsion, which cause injury as a result of the loss of blood flow to the testicular tissue. Thymol (THY), known for its antioxidant properties, is a phenolic monoterpenoid used in the cosmetic and agricultural industries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that THY can safeguard the testicular tissue in a rat model of testicular IRI. Materials and Methods: Eighteen Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, IRI, and IRI+THY (100 mg/kg). In order to create the IRI model, a four-hour period of ischemia was initiated by rotating the left testis 720 degrees, which was then followed by a two-hour period of reperfusion. The rats were sacrificed at the six-hour mark, after which biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted on the excised testicular tissues. Results: THY treatment resulted in a notable improvement in testicular damage, as evidenced by the reduction of IRI-induced histopathological findings and an increase in Johnsen scores. In addition, THY treatment led to a significant decrease in the levels of biomarkers associated with IRI-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Conclusion: These initial preclinical findings indicate thatTHY may confer protection against testicular damage induced by IRI. However, further comprehensive studies are required to substantiate this effect.