Mitigating effect of pomegranate peel extract against the furan induced testicular injury by apoptosis, steroidogenic enzymes and oxidative stress.

Furan is generated in a wide array of heat-treated foods through thermal degradation, leading to severe impairments in the male reproductive system. The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential of pomegranate peel extract (PGPE) in mitigating testicular dysfunctions induced by furan. Male rats were categorized into four groups: control/untreated, PGPE, furan, and PGPE + furan group. The study results revealed that furan-treated rats exhibited significantly elevated aminotransferase and phosphatase activity, and also generated increased oxidative stress, and reduced antioxidative stress protein activity. Additionally, protein content levels (ALT, AST, ALP, and ACP) and activities of steroidogenic Leydig cell hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD and 17β-HSD) enzymes were significantly decreased. Significant variations in testicular parameters, apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, P53, and Caspase3), inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL1β, IL10), male sex hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and sperm quality were also observed. Furthermore, testicular histological abnormalities were confirmed by biochemical and molecular modifications. Notably, PGPE pre-treated furan-intoxicated animals exhibited significant improvements in most of the assessed parameters compared to furan-treated groups. In conclusion, PGPE presents essential preventive measures and a novel pharmacological potential therapy against furan-induced testicular injury.

Ali W ，Khatyan U ，Sun J ，Alasmari A ，Alshahrani MY ，Qazi IH ，Wang T ，Liu Z ，Zou H ... -  《-》

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus L. (tigernut) on lead acetate-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats.

Lead acetate impairs testicular function by enhancing testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis. Cyperus esculentus possesses antioxidants and has shown great improvement of testicular function. This study investigated the protective effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus on lead acetate-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (180-195 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 5) namely: Normal control (NC), Lead control (PbC) (20 mg/kg b.w. i.p.), C. esculentus-treated (CE) (500 mg/kg b.w p.o.), Pb + CE(500) (20 mg/kg of lead and 500 mg/kg of extract) and Pb + CE(1000) (20 mg/kg of lead and 1000 mg/kg of extract). Administration lasted for 21 days. Sperm count, motility, viability, serum testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone, Johnsen's score, Leydig cell count, Sertoli cell count, testicular testosterone, B-cell lymphoma protein-2 (Bcl-2), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 A1, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17β-HSD, enzymatic antioxidant activities and total antioxidant capacity were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in PbC compared with NC. These parameters however increased significantly (p < 0.05) in Pb + CE(500) and Pb + CE(1000) compared with PbC. Lead acetate upregulated (p < 0.05) testicular malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 levels. All these parameters were downregulated (p < 0.05) in Pb + CE(500) and Pb + CE(1000) in comparison with PbC. C. esculentus exhibited a dose-dependent mitigation of lead acetate-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

Udefa AL ，Amama EA ，Archibong EA ，Nwangwa JN ，Adama S ，Inyang VU ，Inyaka GU ，Aju GJ ，Okpa S ，Inah IO ... -  《-》

Eriodictyol attenuates Furan induced testicular toxicity in Rats: Role of oxidative stress, steroidogenic enzymes and apoptosis.

Furan (C4H4O) is a naturally occurring organic compound. It develops as a result of the thermal processing of food and stimulates critical impairments in male reproductive tract. Eriodictyol (Etyol) is a natural dietary flavonoid possessing diverse pharmacological potentials. The recent investigation was proposed to ascertain the ameliorative potential of eriodictyol against furan-instigated reproductive dysfunctions. Male rats (n = 48) were classified into 4 groups: untreated/control, furan (10 mg/kg), furan+ eriodictyol (10 mg/kg + 20 mg/kg) and eriodictyol (20 mg/kg). At the 56th day of the trial, the protective effects of eriodictyol were evaluated by assessing various parameters. Results of the study revealed that eriodictyol attenuated furan-induced testicular toxicity in the biochemical profile by increasing catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) along with glutathione reductase (GSR) activities, whereas reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) along with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. It also restored the normal state of sperm motility, viability, the count of hypo-osmotic tail swelled sperm as well as epididymal sperm number along with reduced sperm anomalies (morphological) tail, mid-piece and head. Furthermore, it elevated the decreased levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), plasma testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as well steroidogenic enzymes (17β-HSD, StAR protein & 3β-HSD) and testicular anti-apoptotic marker (Bcl-2) expression, whereas, down-regulating apoptotic markers (Bax & Caspase-3) expression. Eriodictyol treatment also effectively mitigated the histopathological damages. The outcomes of the current study provide fundamental insights into the ameliorative potential of eriodictyol against furan-instigated testicular toxicity.

Ijaz MU ，Mustafa S ，Ain QU ，Hamza A ，Ahmed H ，Abdel-Daim MM ，Albadrani GM ，Najda A ，Ali S ... -  《-》

Punica granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Extract Pre-Treatment Alleviates Fenpropathrin-Induced Testicular Injury via Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Adult Male Rats.

Jebur AB ，El-Sayed RA ，Abdel-Daim MM ，El-Demerdash FM ... -  《Toxics》

Punica granatum peel extract modulates levofloxacin-induced oxidative stress and testicular damage in rats.

Levofloxacin (LEV) is one of the Fluoroquinolones antibiotic groups, which are utilized in the therapy of numerous diseases, particularly in reproductive organs. Punica granatum peel is a waste byproduct rich in phytochemicals that are known for their different biological activities. The current research was designed to assess the capability of pomegranate peel extract (PGPE) in counteracting LEV-induced oxidative stress and testicular injury in rats. Rats groups were divided as follows: control, PGPE (500 mg/kg BW), LEV (300 mg/kg BW), and PGPE plus LEV. Rats were treated orally for two weeks daily. The chemical and nutritional content of Punica granatum peel (PGP) were investigated. GC/MS analysis showed the major phytochemical constituents in PGPE as gallic acid, ellagic acid, 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl, and caffeic acid with DPPH, ABTS, and NO radical scavenging activity, as well as Fe3+- reducing antioxidant activity. Results revealed that LEV increased TBARS and H2O2 concentrations and LDH activity in rat testes significantly. While the activities of antioxidant enzymes, phosphatases, aminotransferases, and reduced glutathione content as well as protein levels, were significantly reduced. Worthy changes in testosterone, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, as well as sperm characteristics, were also discovered. LEV was also found to trigger apoptosis, as evidenced by elevated p53 and caspase-3 levels and decreased Bcl2 levels. Furthermore, alterations in histological and immunohistochemical PCNA expression were observed in rat testes, confirming the biochemical findings. Furthermore, PGPE pretreatment of LEV-treated rats restored the majority of the tested parameters when compared to the LEV-treated group. In conclusion, pomegranate peel extract had a powerful modulating role against the adverse effects of levofloxacin in rat testes and represents a perspective of the utilization of food waste by-products.

El-Demerdash FM ，Ahmed MM ，Baghdadi HH 《-》