%0 Journal Article
%T Neural network assessment of herbal protection against chemotherapeutic-induced reproductive toxicity
%A Amr Amin
%A Doaa Mahmoud-Ghoneim
%A Muhammed I Syam
%A Sayel Daoud
%J Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1742-4682-9-1
%X Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) or cisplatin (CIS) is a highly effective anti-neoplastic DNA alkylating agent used to treat many types of solid tumors including testicular, ovarian, breast, lung, bladder, and head and neck. However, adverse side-effects, including testicular toxicity, limit its application [1,2]. Both short-term and long-term effects of CIS treatment on testicular function have been previously documented in human [2] and in other animal models [3,4]. Within days of CIS injection, animals develop severe testicular damage characterized by germ cell apoptosis, Leydig cell dysfunction and testicular steroidogenic disorder [4-7]. Germ cell apoptosis has been reported to play an important role in CIS-induced testicular damage [4-7]. CIS-induced DNA adduct formation in rat's spermatozoa was observed after treatment with CIS at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight [8].Free radicals have been reported to mediate reactions responsible for a wide range of CIS-induced side-effects. Consequently, anti-oxidants have been shown to protect non-malignant cells and organs against damage by CIS [8]. CIS has previously been shown to induce lipid peroxidation (LP) with a concomitant decrease in the level of testicular anti-oxidants [6].Ginkgo Biloba (GB) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for about 5000 years. It is one of the herbal drugs that has been widely used due to its antioxidant properties, ability to modify vasomotor function, effect on ion channels to inhibit activation of platelets and smooth muscle cells [9,10], stimulate neurotransmitters [11], decrease adhesion of blood cells to endothelium, and to modify signal transduction [9]. GB has also been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment. The major bioactive components of GB are flavonoglycosides and terpene lactones. GB extract was also reported for many decades to increase peripheral and cerebral blood flow as well as for the treatment of dementia. Furthermore, GB leav
%U http://www.tbiomed.com/content/9/1/1