Therapeutic effects of bee drone milk-fortified soymilk on cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity: Mechanisms and potential benefits

Abstract

Soybean and bee drone milk are promising functional food candidates due to their bioactive compounds and health benefits. This study evaluated fortified soymilk with drone milk (BSDM) in mitigating cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity and explored the mechanisms involved. Different BSDM concentrations were analyzed for physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and sensory attributes. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, BSDM, cisplatin, and cisplatin + BSDM groups. Sperm motility, hormone levels, oxidative stress markers, apoptosis, and inflammation were assessed. BSDM supplementation enhanced phenolic levels, antioxidant potential, nutritional characteristics, and consumer acceptance of soymilk. Rats treated with cisplatin showed reduced testes weight, sperm parameters, hormone levels, and testicular glutathione, along with increased malondialdehyde, total nitrite, NF-κB, caspase-3,and TNF-α expression. BSDM administration mitigated testicular toxicity, restored function, and repaired histological abnormalities by regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. These findings suggest BSDM as a functional food for alleviating cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity. • BSDM enhances soy milk's antioxidant potential. • BSDM improves consumer acceptance of soy milk. • BSDM mitigates cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity. • BSDM restores impaired testicular function in rats. • BSDM rebalances oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation.