RESUMEN
This study aims to investigate the effect of hydroethanolic extracts of Cynara scolymus (C. scolymus) leaf (CLHE) and C. scolymus flower (CFHE) on the hepatic histopathological lesions and functional biochemical changes induced by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The rat model of T2DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in a dose of 60 mg/kg for 15 minutes following nicotinamide (NA) (60 mg/kg). The rats were allocated into four groups: group 1 (negative control), group 2 (diabetic control), group 3 (diabetic rats supplemented with 100 mg/kg/day CLHE), and group 4 (diabetic rats supplemented with 100 mg/kg/day CFHE). Treatment with CLHE and CFHE, for the study duration of 28 days, significantly improved the deteriorated hepatic glycogen content, glycogen phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase activities, serum fructosamine levels, lipid profile, aspartate transaminase activities, and alanine transaminase activities as well as serum insulin and C-peptide levels. The elevated liver lipid peroxidation and the decreased activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly alleviated. The elevated expression of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α in the liver of diabetic rats was significantly reduced by treatments with CLHE and CFHE. NA/STZ-induced T2DM exhibited hepatic histopathological changes in the form of disordered hepatocytes, cytoplasm dissolution, and mononuclear leukocytic infiltration. The electron microscopic ultrastructure study revealed damaged mitochondria with ill-defined cristae and fragmentation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Treatments with CLHE and CFHE remarkably amended these histopathological and EM ultrastructural changes. In conclusion, both CLHE and CFHE may have antidiabetic and improvement effects on the liver function and structural integrity, which may be mediated, at least in part, via suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress and enhancement of the antioxidant defence system.
RESUMEN
Many routes have been explored to search for effective, safe, and affordable alternatives to hazardous female contraceptives. Herbal extracts and their secondary metabolites are some of the interesting research areas to address this growing issue. This study aims to investigate the effects of ten different plant extracts on testicular spermatogenesis. The correlation between the chemical profile of these extracts and their in vivo effect on male reproductive system was evaluated using various techniques. Approximately 10% of LD50 of hydro-methanolic extracts were orally administrated to rats for 60 days. Semen parameters, sexual organ weights, and serum levels of male sex hormones in addition to testes histopathology, were evaluated. Moreover, metabolomic analysis using (LC-HRESIMS), multivariate analysis (PCA), immunohistochemistry (caspase-3 and ß-catenin), and a docking study were performed. Results indicated that three plant extracts significantly decreased epididymal sperm density and motility. Moreover, their effects on testicular cells were also assured by histopathological evaluations. Metabolomic profiling of the bioactive plant extracts showed the presence of diverse phytochemicals, mostly oleanane saponins, phenolic diterpenes, and lupane triterpenes. A docking study on caspase-3 enzyme showed that oleanane saponins possessed the highest binding affinity. An immunohistochemistry assay on ß-catenin and caspase-3 indicated that Albizzia lebbeck was the most active extract for decreasing immunoexpression of ß-catenin, while Rosmarinus officinalis showed the highest activity for increasing immunoexpression of caspase-3. The spermatogenesis decreasing the activity of A. lebbeck, Anagallis arvensis, and R. officinalis can be mediated via up-regulation of caspase-3 and down-regulation of ß-catenin existing in testis cells.
RESUMEN
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) on testicular mitochondrial viability and lipid peroxidation as a possible novel mechanism of PEHP testicular toxicity and whether grape seed extract (GSE) beneficially influences the mitochondrial function in testes of rats exposed to diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP). Sixty male albino rats were divided into three groups (n = 20): group I: was used as a control, group II: received diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) (500 mg/kg/day orally) alone for 30 days, and group III: received the same DEHP dose in combination with GSE (proanthocyanidins) (100 mg/kg body weight). DEHP administration significantly decreases the testicular mitochondrial viability, mRNA expression of androgen receptors (AR), testosterone hormone concentration, increases mRNA expression of INOS and as compared to control group. It also decreases reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, glutathione reductase (GR), super oxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase activities and increases lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA fragmentation%. In synchronization, a substantial decrease of testicular & epididymal weight and volume which accompanied by considerable alteration of semen character. Grape seed extract (GSE) alleviates the toxic effects of DEHP by increasing the mitochondrial viability, decreases the lipid peroxidation, and increases the testicular antioxidant activity. Our results were confirmed by histopathological and immunhistochemical studies.