Marwa S. Badawi; Awwad Alenezy; Safya E. Esmaeel; Naglaa A. Bayomy; Naglaa Mokhtar; Eslam K. Fahmy; Saad H. Elshafey & Reda H. Elbakary.

Pregabalin (PGB) is an anti-convulsant drug that is indicated in epilepsy, neuropathic pain and anxiety. Pregabalin is considered an analogue to the neurotransmitter gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). A phytochemical called carvacrol is obtained from aromatic plants in the Oregano genus. It is well recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as its ability to stop the growth of many cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to assess Carvacrol's antioxidant capacity in relation to PGB-induced testicular injury. Forty male albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group. Group I (control group). Group II animals received Carvacrol orally in a dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Group III animals received PGB orally in a dose of 1200 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Group IV animals received (PGB + Carvacrol). The testes were taken out, weighed, and sampled for biochemical, immunohistochemical, and histopathological analyses at the end of the experiment. In order to analyze the semen, the epididymes were also removed. PGB administration at a dose of 1200 mg/ kg raised FSH and LH levels while decreasing serum testosterone levels. Additionally, it led to an increase in sperm abnormalities and a decrease in sperm motility, count, and viability percentage. Additionally, there was a decrease in GSH, GPx, and SOD and an increase in MDA, which suggests testicular oxidative damage. Testicular histology revealed morphological alterations. Carvacrol administered concurrently was able to undo the negative effects of PGB. This was seen in the revised levels of the mentioned measures, which were almost normal when compared to the PGB and control groups. Carvacrol ameliorated PGB-induced testicular damage, according to the current study's biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical results.

KEY WORDS: Pregabalin; Testicular injury; Oxidative stress; Testosterone; Sperm parameters; Carvacrol.

BADAWI, M. S.; ALENEZY, A.; ESMAEEL, S. E.; BAYOMY, N. A.; MOKHTAR, N.; FAHMY, E. K.; ELSHAFEY, S. H. & ELBAKARY, R. H. The ameliorative effect of carvacrol against pregabalin-induced testicular injury in adult male albino rats: Histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Int. J. Morphol., 43(4):1230-1239, 2025.