Harmine exhibits anti-apoptotic properties and reduces diabetes-induced testicular damage caused by streptozotocin in rats.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus induces fertility problems in men, mainly because of increased free radicals. Natural resources are effective for male infertility treatment. This study investigated the effects of harmine, an alkaloid available in Peganum harmala L., on the male reproductive system of diabetic rats. Methods: We divided 32 rats into four groups, and eight were randomly placed in each group. For diabetes induction, the animals received 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. After 1 week, animals received 15 mg/kg of harmine (28 days; intraperitoneal). Histopathological examinations, serum levels of male hormones, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the testes, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), insulin serum levels, fasting blood glucose levels, the apoptotic index, and semen analysis were assessed. Results: The diabetes group exhibited morphological changes in testicular tissue, significant decreases in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule, the Johnsen score, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, insulin serum levels, and TAC in testicular tissue (p<0.01). Harmine treatment ameliorated the morphological changes in the testes and improved sperm parameters relative to the diabetes group (p<0.05). The NO and MDA levels in the testes, fasting blood glucose serum levels, and apoptotic index parameters were significantly elevated in the diabetes group, while in the diabetes+harmine group, these parameters were reduced (p<0.01). Conclusion: Harmine protects testicular tissue and sperm against diabetes-induced damage. This effect of harmine is associated with a rebalancing of the antioxidant capacity that subsequently decreases apoptosis in the testes.

Falcaria vulgaris L. hydroalcoholic extract protects against harmful effects of mercuric chloride on the rat kidney.

Objective: Mercuric chloride (Merc; HgCl2) is toxic to humans and animals and contributes to environmental pollution, which usually results in nerve and systemic harm to different organs. Falcaria vulgaris (FV) is a medicinal plant rich in antioxidants. This research aimed to assess the FV hydroalcoholic extract effects on kidney toxicity induced by Merc. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight male rats were divided into eight groups: the control group: received saline; the Merc group: received 0.5 ml/day of 0.5 ppm aqueous Merc; FV1, 2, and 3 groups: received 50, 100, 150 mg/kg FV, respectively; and Merc + FV1, 2, and 3 groups: received Merc and FV at three doses. The administration period was 14-days. Subsequently, kidneys and sera were cumulated from each group for the analysis. Samples were analyzed via hematoxylin-eosin staining and biochemical tests. Results: The rats that received Merc displayed significant decrement in the kidney index, the diameter of renal corpuscles, total antioxidant capacity levels, superoxide dismutase activity (all, p<0.01), and 150 mg/kg FV mitigated these outcomes (all, p<0.05). Urea, creatinine, nitric oxide, and the level of apoptosis revealed a significant increment in the kidney of the rats that received Merc (all, p<0.01), and 150 mg/kg FV decreased these results. Furthermore, FV ameliorated histological changes induced by Merc (all, p<0.05). Conclusion: The FV hydroalcoholic extract protects the kidneys against Merc-induced nephrotoxicity. Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic FV hydroalcoholic extract properties were involved in this healing effect.

Harmine mitigates cisplatin-induced renal injury in male mice through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis effects.

Background and purpose: Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug used to treat cancer, however, causes kidney toxicity. Harmine is a plant-derived alkaloid with a wide range of therapeutic applications. The effects of harmine on the renal side effects of cisplatin in mice were studied in this study. Experimental approach: Forty-eight male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 6). They were treated with saline, cisplatin (5.5 mg/kg), harmine (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg/day), cisplatin + harmine (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg/day), respectively. All administrations were done daily and intraperitoneally for 4 days. The criteria related to histology, oxidation, anti-oxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis of renal tissue were evaluated. Findings / Results: There was a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity of renal tissue, renal corpuscles diameter, and IL-10 expression level in the cisplatin group than in the control group, while the values of these parameters were significantly similar to the control group in the moderate or high doses of harmine + cisplatin groups. There were significant increases in serum urea and creatinine levels, bowman space, the amounts of malondialdehyde, apoptosis rate, and TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-1ß, and caspase-3 gene expressions in kidney tissue of the cisplatin group compared to the control group, while these criteria did not differ in the moderate or high doses of harmine + cisplatin groups. Conclusion and implications: Harmine protected the kidneys against cisplatin-induced damage. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic harmine properties were involved in this healing effect.

Tribulus terrestris and female reproductive system health: A comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) positive performance on the male sexual system has been confirmed, but little is known about its effects on the female reproductive system. PURPOSE: This review discussed in detail the beneficial impact of T. terrestris and its secondary metabolites on the female reproductive system. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this review, the scientific Databases of Science direct, Pubmed, Web of Science, Google, Google Scholar, Researchgate, EMBASE, Scientific Information (SID), and Elsevier were searched profoundly. Studies about the pharmacological activities of T. terrestris on the female reproductive system in each aspect of investigations: human, in vivo, and in vitro studies, in the period from 1998 to 2020 were admitted. Our study was not limited by the language of publications. RESULTS: 23 articles about the effects of T. terrestris on the female reproductive system were found. These studies approved the T. terrestris efficacy on improvements in histological features of the ovary and uterus of polycystic ovary syndrome patients as well as the well-working of normal ovaries, enhancements in the sexual desire of postmenopausal syndrome, improve ovarian and breast cancers. CONCLUSION: These studies showed that the positive effect of T. terrestris on the female reproductive system was due to the presence of a secondary metabolite called protodioscin; a steroidal saponin compound, as the dominant active component of this plant.

Acacetin Alleviates Hepatitis Following Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in Male Balb/C Mice by Antioxidants Regulation and Inflammatory Markers Suppression.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion (Isc/Rep) incidence can damage kidneys and long-distance organs such as the liver. Due to the increasing use of herbs in medicine, this study was designed to assess the effects of Acacetin (ACA) on pathophysiology of liver following renal Isc/Rep induction. Methods: 84 male Balb/C mice were divided into 12 groups including control, control + ACAs groups (0.01% DMSO or 50, 25, 10 mg/kg of ACA.) sham group (a period of 60 min laparotomy with 0.01% DMSO treatment) sham + ACAs groups (0.01% DMSO + 50, 25, 10 mg/kg of ACA) Isc/Rep treatment groups (laparotomy and bilateralrenal occlusion for 60 min with/without administration of 50, 25, 10 mg/kg ACA). All experimental groups were treated intraperitoneally daily for 4 consecutive days. The values of quantitative histology, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Nitric oxide (NO), TNFα, IL1ß, and the serum levels of hepatic enzymes were evaluated. Results: In the Isc/Rep and Isc/Rep + ACA (10 mg/kg) groups, there were a significant decrease in the level of albumin and TAC, while the other evaluated parameters were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In the Isc/Rep + ACA (25, 50 mg/kg), these parameters showed significant recovery compared to Isc/Rep + ACA (10 mg/kg) group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Increasing the oxidant activity is the most important cause of injury in long-distance organs following Isc/Rep process. By employing the inflammatory mediators in a dose-dependent manner, the ACA reveals the recovery effects on liver failure.

Harmine protects mercuric chloride kidney-induced injury by antioxidant activity in male mice: a biochemical and histological study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mercuric chloride (Merc) can cause kidney toxicity. Harmine (Harm), an herbal alkaloid has various pharmacological and medicinal effects mainly because of its antioxidant activity. In this study, therefore, Harm's protective mechanisms on Merc-induced nephrotoxicity in BALB/c male mice were investigated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Forty-eight male mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8). Groups were received saline, Merc (0.5 mL/day of 0.5 ppm aqueous), Harm (5, 10, 15 mg/kg/day), Merc + Harm (5, 10, 15 mg/kg/day) for 14 consecutive days. Saline and Harm were administrated intraperitoneally and Merc dissolved in drinking water. Urea and creatinine serum levels, body weight, kidney weight, quantitative and qualitative histological alterations, apoptosis rate, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were evaluated. FINDINGS/RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in total body and kidney weights, renal histological criteria, TAC, SOD levels in the Merc group compared to the control group (P < 0.05), whereas these parameters in the Merc + Harm groups, were significantly increased compared to the Merc group (P < 0.05). Urea and creatinine serum levels, levels of NO, and apoptosis were significantly higher in the Merc group than the control, while these parameters were decreased in the Merc + Harms groups in comparison with the Merc group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Harm protected Merc-induced renal damage in mice. This protection was observed in both histological and biochemical respects. The beneficial effect of Harm was related to its antioxidant properties that diminish NO production and apoptosis induction in the kidney.

Evaluating the effects of acacetin versus a low dose of cisplatin drug on male reproductive system and kidney in mice: With emphasis on inflammation process.

This study aimed to compare acacetin adverse effect besides a cisplatin low dose on male reproductive and urinary systems on mice. In this study, 36 male Balb/c mice were received Dimethyl sulfoxide, cisplatin (1 mg/kg) or acacetin (10, 25, 50 mg/kg) for 3 days, while the sixth group, treated with acacetin (50 mg/kg) for 10 days. All treatments were done consequence daily and intraperitoneally. Histological and biochemical factors to male reproductive and urinary systems were assayed. Only in cisplatin exposed group, significant differences were seen with the others. So that, some reproductive criteria were significantly decreased; serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, sperm parameters, the diameters of seminiferous tubules, Johnsen's score and from the urinary system; renal corpuscles' space, Mg2+ concentration (p < .01). Moreover, significant increases were seen in serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, testis myeloperoxidase activity and tumour necrosis factor-alpha expression, kidney histological damage and renal corpuscle diameter (p < .01). Cisplatin exposure disrupts histological and functional characteristics of either male reproductive or urinary systems, suggesting by inflammation-promoting. Acacetin does not induce any harmful impact on these two systems and could be considered as a safe flavonoid by high dose and prolonged usage.