Therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L) on female reproductive system disorders: A systematic review.

The effect of Crocus sativus on several disorders has been discussed or even confirmed, but the efficacy of this herb on the female reproductive system has not been well presented. In this regard, this systematic review comprehensively discussed the efficacy of C. sativus and its main phytochemical compounds on the female reproductive system and its disorders for the first time. In this systematic review, scientific databases, including PubMed, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Scientific Information Database, were explored profoundly. In vivo, in vitro, and human studies published until the end of July 2023, which had investigated the pharmacological properties of C. sativus, crocin, crocetin, safranal, or picrocrocin on the female reproductive system, were selected. A total of 50 studies conducted on the effect of C. sativus on the female reproductive system were acquired. These studies confirmed the efficacy of C. sativus or its main phytochemical ingredients in several aspects of the female reproductive system, including regulation of sex hormones, folliculogenesis, ovulation, and protection of the ovary and uterus against several oxidative stress. Several retrieved studies indicated that this herb also can alleviate the symptoms of patients suffering from dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, polycystic ovary disease (PCOD), and sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, it is a promising candidate for future studies or even trials regarding ovarian and cervical cancers. This review concluded that C. sativus can improve the symptoms of several female reproductive system disorders, which is particularly due to the presence of phytochemical ingredients, such as crocin, crocetin, and safranal.

Enhanced glutathione production protects against zearalenone-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis in female reproductive system.

Zearalenone (ZEN, a widespread fusarium mycotoxin) causes evoked oxidative stress in reproductive system, but little is known about whether this is involved in ferroptosis. Melatonin, a well-known antioxidant, has demonstrated unique anti-antioxidant properties in several studies. Here, this study was aimed to investigate whether ZEN-induced oxidative stress in female pig's reproductive system was involved in ferroptosis, and melatonin was then supplemented to protect against ZEN-induced abnormalities in vitro cell models [human granulosa cell (KGN) and mouse endometrial stromal cell (mEC)] and in vivo mouse model. According to the results from female pig's reproductive organs, ZEN-induced abnormalities in vulvar swelling, inflammatory invasion and pathological mitochondria, were closely linked with evoked oxidative stress. Using RNA-seq analysis, we further revealed that ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity was due to activated ferroptosis. Mechanistically, by using in vitro cell models (KGN and mEC) and in vivo mouse model, we observed that ZEN exposure resulted in oxidative stress and ferroptosis in a glutathione-dependent manner. Notably, these ZEN-induced abnormalities above were alleviated by melatonin supplementation through enhanced productions of glutathione peroxidase 4 and glutathione. Herein, the present results suggest that potential strategies to improve glutathione production protect against ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity, including oxidative stress and ferroptosis.

Oleaster oil (Olea europaea sylvestris) effects on the efficiency of the reproductive system of diet-induced obese male Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is the result of oxidative stress (OS), which appears to be linked to male infertility. Oleaster oil has multiple therapeutic virtues due to its richness in natural bioactive compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Algerian oleaster oil on the reproductive system effectiveness of diet-induced obese male Wistar rats. METHODS: The oil was extracted with an oleodoseur from the oleaster fruits. Rats were fed for 28 weeks two diets: a normal diet (NC group, n=8) and a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHS group, n=32). The obese rats in the HFHS group were then split into three groups at random: the HFHS group, which continued to receive the HFHS diet; the HFHS L-OO group; and the HFHS H-OO group, which received for 6 weeks, respectively, in combination with the HFHS diet, oleaster oil at 1.5 and 3 mL/100 g body weight (BW). Then, the animals were sacrificed. Semen and testes were removed for semen analysis, OS, and histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: The oleaster oil diet induces an improvement in sperm count and viability and a decrease in the percentage of fragmented sperm DNA compared to the group fed the HFHS diet, preserving the testes against OS with a highly significant decrease in testicular MDA. This beneficial effect of oleaster oil on the reproductive efficiency of rats fed the HFHS diet was dose-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the oil decreased body weight, prevented OS and improved male reproductive indicators in HFHS-fed animals. The potential positive effects of oleaster oil on fertility biomarkers may be attributed to its ability to mitigate OS.

Therapeutic effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on female reproductive system: A systematic review.

Complementary and alternative medicine, including Persian medicine (PM), offers a variety of disease prevention and treatment methods, including the application of medicinal plants. The health of the reproductive system is an important issue for women, and understanding the potential effect of garlic (Allium sativum) for preventive and therapeutic purposes in this field is of interest. This systematic review focused on the effects of garlic on the female reproductive system. The method involved a comprehensive search of relevant literature on experimental animal studies using electronic databases from January 2010 to September 2023, followed by selection of eligible studies and data extraction. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. This review reported that garlic may have positive effects on women's reproductive health, such as improving hormonal balance, relieving PMS symptoms, and potentially supporting fertility outcomes. This review revealed that garlic compounds such as allicin and ajoene can modulate various aspects of the female reproductive system, including regulation of the menstrual cycle, hormonal balance, fertility, and reproductive disorders. This review determined that further research is needed to elucidate the molecular pathways and direct effects of garlic on the female reproductive system. Although garlic has many potential health benefits, it should not be used as a substitute for medications.

Thyme extract could overcome diabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative damage and increasing the expression of insulin receptor substrate and pyruvate kinase in the rat sperm.

OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress and disruption of energy metabolism in the reproductive system, especially sperm, play a significant role in diabetes-related infertility. Zataria multiflora Boissis (ZMB), a medicinal plant containing various bioactive compounds, may have efficacy in treating metabolic diseases and reproductive disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of ZMB extract on diabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction by assessing oxidative damage and the gene expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in male rats' sperm. METHODS: Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups; control (C), diabetes (D), and diabetic animals treated with glibenclamide (G, 50 mg/kg) and thyme extract (T100, T200, and T400). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg). Insulin, glucose, oxidative and pro-inflammatory markers in the serum, and gene expressions of IRS, and PK were measured in the stored sperms in the epididymis. Changes in the process of spermatogenesis were assessed through the histological evaluation of the testis. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the quantity and quality of thyme extract. KEY FINDINGS: The study results indicated that body weight, food intake, and sperm parameters significantly improved in a dose-dependent manner in the T200 group compared to the other groups. Additionally, in the same group, pro-inflammatory biomarkers, DNA fragmentation, and MDA levels decreased, while the levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes in the stored epididymal sperm significantly improved compared to the other groups. The expression of IRS and PK, along with the mean counts of spermatogenesis cell lines (especially Sertoli cells), significantly increased in the T200 group. SUMMARY: In conclusion, thymol appears to alleviate diabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative damage, improving the metabolic state, and upregulating the expression of IRS and PK genes in the sperm of male rats.

Can Ashwagandha Benefit the Endocrine System?-A Review.

Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Due to the wide range of its activities, there has been interest in its possible beneficial effects on the human body. It is proved that, among others, Ashwagandha has anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and hypolipidemic properties. Particularly interesting are its properties reported in the field of psychiatry and neurology: in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, anxiety disorders and many others. The aim of this review is to find and summarize the effect that Ashwagandha root extract has on the endocrine system and hormones. The multitude of active substances and the wide hormonal problems faced by modern society sparked our interest in the topic of Ashwagandha's impact on this system. In this work, we also attempted to draw conclusions as to whether W. somnifera can help normalize the functions of the human endocrine system in the future. The search mainly included research published in the years 2010-2023. The results of the research show that Ashwagandha can have a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine system, including improving the secretory function of the thyroid gland, normalizing adrenal activity, and multidirectional improvement on functioning of the reproductive system. The main mechanism of action in the latter appears to be based on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as a decrease in cortisol levels and an increase in hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in men were found, which results in stress level reduction and improvement in fertility. In turn, other studies prove that active substances from W. somnifera, acting on the body, cause an increase in the secretion of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) by the thyroid gland and a subsequent decrease in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in accordance with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. In light of these findings, it is clear that Ashwagandha holds significant promise as a natural remedy for various health concerns, especially those related to the endocrine system. Future research may provide new insights into its mechanisms of action and expand its applications in both traditional and modern medicine. The safety and toxicity of Ashwagandha also remain important issues, which may affect its potential use in specific patient groups.

The rare-earth yttrium induces cell apoptosis and autophagy in the male reproductive system through ROS-Ca2+-CamkII/Ampk axis.

China has the world's largest reserves of rare earth elements (REEs), but widespread mining and application of REEs has led to an increased risk of potential pollution. Yttrium (Y), the first heavy REEs to be discovered, poses a substantial threat to human health. Unfortunately, little attention has been given to the impact of Y on human reproductive health. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of YCl3 on mouse testes and four types of testicular cells, including Sertoli, Leydig, spermatogonial and spermatocyte cells. The results showed that YCl3 exposure causes substantial damage to mouse testes and induces apoptosis and autophagy, but not pyroptosis or necrosis, in testicular cells. Genome-wide gene expression analysis revealed that YCl3 induced significant changes in gene expression, with Ca2+ and mitochondria-related genes being the most significantly altered. Mechanistically, YCl3 exposure induced mitochondrial dysfunction in testicular cells, triggering the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by impairing the Nrf2 pathway, regulating downstream Ho-1 target protein expression, and increasing Ca2+ levels to activate the CamkII/Ampk signaling pathway. Blocking ROS production or Ca2+ signaling significantly attenuates apoptosis and autophagy, while supplementation with Ca2+ reverses the suppression of apoptosis and autophagy by ROS blockade in testicular cells. Notably, apoptosis and autophagy induced by YCl3 treatment are independent of each other. Thus, our study suggests that YCl3 may impair the antioxidant stress signaling pathway and activate the calcium pathway through the ROS-Ca2+ axis, which promotes testicular cell apoptosis and autophagy independently, thus inducing testicular damage and impairing male reproductive function.

Physiological and Histological Effects of Ginseng Oil on Reproductive Efficiency in Adult Male Rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a collection of metabolic illnesses known as chronic hyperglycaemia. It is one of the most common chronic diseases caused by insulin functions or secretions deficiency, which may cause carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism to be disrupted. The pituitary-gonadal axis malfunctions, testicular tissue dysfunctions and poor quality of sperms are all symptoms of DM, which is one of the most common causes of reproductive abnormalities. The current study has been designed to demonstrate the impacts of treatment with Ginseng oil oxidative stress-induced physiological and histological alterations in the male reproductive system of rats with subcutaneous (s/c) injection alloxan. The study was done on 30 mature male Wistar rats randomly divided into three equal groups (n=10). The first group, which served as the negative control, the second group (positive control) injection with (s/c) a single alloxan dosage (120 milligrams per kilogram of body weight), the third group was given alloxan and treated with ginseng oil (0.5cc at dosage (5 g /kg body weight daily) for 30 days. The percentage of live sperms increased significantly (P≤0.05) in the group that was given Ginseng oil orally compared to the alloxan group, the percentage of dead sperms and sperm abnormalities dropped, and the total sperm count was decreased. In the rat testis, (s/c) given alloxan (120 mg/kg), aberrant spermatids were present with a decrease in the sperm numbers in the lumens of seminiferous tubules, as well as a division in the irregular germ cells. The current study concluded that Ginseng oil exerted an antioxidant effect on the male reproductive system of rats injected with subcutaneous (s/c) alloxan.

The Effects of Clove and Its Constituents on Reproductive System: a Comprehensive Review.

Clove with the scientific name of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry is an evergreen tree in which its buds are used for medicinal purposes. Traditional medicine manuscripts as well as recent studies reported its effects on male and female reproductive systems. The aim of this study is to investigate the reported contradictory effects of clove and its phytochemicals on the reproductive system of both males and females. All types of in vitro, animal, and human studies of clove and its main constituents in the field of reproductive systems were collected via searching electronic databases including PubMed and Scopus from the onset till 2021. In this review, 76 articles were included, of which 25 were related to male reproduction, 32 were related to female reproduction, and 19 were related to reproductive malignancies. Analysis of the literature indicates the effects of clove and its constituents especially eugenol and ß-caryophyllene on the level of sex hormones, fertility, sperm abnormalities, endometriosis, menstrual cycle, as well as gynecological infections, and reproductive tumors. The main mechanism of clove has not been understood yet but it seems that different parameters affect its pharmacological activity including the type of extract, dose, and duration of administration as well as the primary cause of the disorder. According to the effects of clove on different parts of the reproductive system, it seems that it can be a suitable candidate for related disorders, provided that more and more detailed studies are done on it.

Coicis Semen for the treatment of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system: A review of traditional Chinese medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

Coicis Semen is an important food product and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) derived from the dried and mature seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi L.var.ma-yuen (Roman.) Stapf. An increasing number of studies have investigated its use, either alone or in combination with other botanical drugs, to treat female reproductive system malignancies, and its pharmacological effects have been confirmed clinically. This review aims to provide an overview of Coicis Semen's historical role in treating female reproductive system malignancies based on TCM theory, to summarize clinical trials results, and to analyze information pertaining to the main phytochemical components, pharmacokinetics, related anti-cancer pharmacological effects, and toxicology of Coicis Semen. Information on Coicis Semen was collected from internationally accepted scientific databases. Seventy-four clinical trials were identified that used Coicis Semen in combination with other Chinese medicine to treat female reproductive system malignancies, most of which demonstrated good anti-tumor efficacy and few adverse reactions. To date, more than 80 individual compounds have been isolated from this botanical drug. In terms of anti-tumor effects, Coix seed oil has been studied the most. Pharmacokinetic data suggest that the active ingredients in Coicis Semen are widely distributed after administration, and Coicis Semen and its active compounds play a beneficial role in treating female reproductive system malignancies. Mechanistically, the anti-cancer effects may be related to inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, suppression of the chronic inflammatory microenvironment of tumors, modulation of immune function, and regulation of the female reproductive system. Most acute toxicity and genotoxicity studies have shown that Coicis Semen is non-toxic. However, the existing studies have many limitations, and the future research direction should emphasize 1) the relationship between drug concentration and pharmacological action as well as toxicity; 2) the structural modification or the synthesis of analogues led by the active ingredients of Coicis Semen to enhance pharmacological activities and bioavailability; 3) accurately revealing the anti-cancer pharmacological effects of Coicis Semen and its compounds through multi-omics technology. We hope that this review can determine future directions and inform novel drug development for treating female reproductive malignancies.

Effects of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Seidlitzia rosmarinus on male mouse reproductive system: An experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Seidlitzia rosmarinus on reproductive hormones, sperm variables, and antioxidant enzymes level in the mice testis. METHODS: In this experimental study, 24 three-month-old male NMRI mice weighing (25-30g) were divided into three groups: control, aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Seidlitzia rosmarinus 100mg/kg. Dissolved extracts were gavaged orally for 35 days. One day after receiving the last dose of the extract, the blood sample, testis, and the epididymis tail were taken for plasma hormonal, testicular antioxidants level, sperm count, and vitality assessments. RESULTS: Testicular level of malondialdehyde increased in aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts groups (p=0.04); total antioxidant capacity decreased in aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts groups (p=0.008); and the consumption of aqueous (p<0.001) and hydro-alcoholic (p=0.03) extracts decreased catalase in comparison with the control group. The plasma level of luteinizing hormone decreased in the aqueous extracts administrated group (p=0.009); the follicle-stimulating hormone increased in aqueous (p=0.03), and hydro-alcoholic extracts administered mice; and the testosterone level decreased in aqueous extract-treated animals versus the control group (p<0.001). The sperm count was increased in aqueous (p=0.04) and hydro-alcoholic (p=0.009) extracts groups, but its vitality was decreased (p=0.008) in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Seidlitzia rosmarinus has an adverse effect on male reproductive hormones and sperm viability via increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant defense system performance.

Experience of Professor You Zhaoling in Application of the Lotus Medicinal Herbs for Reproductive System Diseases / 中医杂志

Lotus medicinal herbs have the effects of resolving blood stasis and stopping bleeding， invigorating the spleen and benefiting the kidneys， restoring coordination between heart and kidney， and tranquilizing the fetus. Lotus root， lotus leaf， lotus seed， Lotus plumule， Shilianzi（Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn） and other lotus herbs are used to treat various female reproductive system diseases. For example， lotus leaf tip with modified Youshi Pangxing Shuangtu Decoction （伍尤氏胖型双土汤）， lotus root section with modified Youshi Shouxing Shuangteng Decoction （尤氏瘦型双藤汤） were used for polycystic ovary syndrome； Youshi Yangchao Formula （尤氏养巢方） （containing lotus seed）， Gengnian Formula （更年方） （containing lotus plumule） for ovarian reserve dysfunction； Lotus seed - Shihu （Dendrobium nobile） as the herb-pair， lotus stamen with ginseng flowers and Sanqi Flower for thin endometrium； Shilianzi（Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn）， lotus leaf tip， lotus stamen， lotus seed， lotus room， lotus root section can be used for premature abortion， and we summarized the characteristics of clinical medication， compounding experience， drug dosage and precautions of each lotus drug in different diseases.

Potential use of Indonesian basil (Ocimum basilicum) maceration to increase estradiol and progesterone synthesis and secretion to improve prenatal growth of offspring using female albino rats as an animal model.

Background and Aim: Basil is well known as a medicinal plant that contains high essential oils and antioxidant compounds that have the potential to improve ovarian development. Thus, basil may have the potential to improve the growth and development of the uterus and placenta for optimal prenatal growth of offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Indonesian basil maceration on gonad development of mature female albino rats. Materials and Methods: Fifteen 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats, at the diestrus stage of the estrus cycle, were divided into three different treatment groups: Control group (mineral water), bas-low group (1% of basil maceration), and bas-high group (5% of basil maceration). Basil maceration was dissolved and administered in mineral drinking water, and the treatments were given for 20 days (4 estrus cycles). At the end of the treatment period, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and progesterone (Pg) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relative weight of the ovary and uterus; diameter and length of uterine cornual; vascularization of uterus; the diameter of uterine glands; the number of primary, secondary, and tertiary de Graaf follicles; the number of corpora luteum; as well as the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the ovary were determined. Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the serum FSH level of rats treated with basil maceration drinking water doses of 1% and 5% compared to the control group. However, serum estradiol and Pg concentrations in the 1% and 5% basil maceration groups were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the control group. Furthermore, 1% and 5% basil maceration significantly increased the uterus's relative weight, diameter, and vascularization. Serum estradiol concentrations contributed to the elevated expression of VEGF compared to Pg. Conclusion: Administration of basil maceration for 20 days before mating could improve follicle growth and development, eventually increasing estradiol synthesis and secretion, thus improving the uterus's preparation for implantation. This makes basil maceration an attractive candidate in clinical research to enhance the growth and development of the uterus and placenta, which will better support the optimum prenatal growth and development of embryos and fetuses, resulting in superior offspring.

The effects of P. atlantica as a libido booster and sexual enhancer on the reproductive system of male rats.

Background and aim: Alongside the advancement of various modern treatments, attention has recently been focused on finding alternative infertility treatments based on diet and herbal medicine. Pistacia atlantica (wild pistachio; Baneh) is a plant species traditionally known as a libido booster and sexual enhancer. Experimental procedure: The study aim was to evaluate the effects of a P. atlantica-enriched diet on the functions of the reproductive system of male rats. Results and conclusion: Results revealed that the diet containing 20% P. atlantica doubled testosterone levels in the treatment group compared to the control. It decreased the total bodyweight, while significantly increased the ratios of the seminal vesicles, testis, and epididymis to the bodyweight of rats. The sperm count in the treatment group was 4.8 × 106/mL, which was significantly more than the control group (4.2 × 106/mL). Furthermore, the utilization of P. atlantica significantly raised HDL levels, though it reduced the LDL and TG levels and the concentration of testis MDA. Concerning other factors, the 20% of P. atlantica considerably increased the serum level of Zinc and vitamin D. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the diet increased the testicular capsule thickness, whereas it did not cause any significant change in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule, the number of Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells. Additionally, the repopulation index, tubular differentiation index, and spermiogenesis index increased in the treatment group. Molecular analysis showed that the prescribed diet increased the expression of both oxytocin (OXT) and its receptor (OXTR) genes, improving the reproductive system function.

An overview of the therapeutic effects of curcumin in reproductive disorders with a focus on the antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.

Curcumin, the polyphenolic compound obtained from turmeric, has several pharmacological properties. These properties include antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-angiogenic, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of this substance has been largely investigated for curing numerous disorders. Based on a growing body of literature, this review aimed to investigate curcumin's molecular and clinical effects on reproduction and related disorders. Curcumin in the female reproductive system attenuates folliculogenesis, promotes apoptosis of oocytes and blastocyst, and decreases embryo implantation and survival. Curcumin at <100 mg concentration shows protective effects against testicular injury. The concentration of >250 mg of curcumin exhibits immobilizing action on sperms, and at 500 mg concentration completely blocks pregnancy. Curcumin inhibits vaginal infections, attenuates the severity of the premenstrual syndrome, ameliorates inflammatory conditions in polycystic ovary syndrome, improves preeclampsia, and prevents ectopic endometrial lesions. Taken together, curcumin, because of the numerous biological activities, low level of toxicity, and lower adverse effects compared to the synthetic drugs, could be considered as a protective agent for preserving the semen quality parameters, a contraceptive, and chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agent, as well as an appropriate agent for the treatment of female reproductive disorders.

A TRPV6 expression atlas for the mouse.

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 6 (TRPV6) channel is highly Ca2+-selective and has been implicated in mediating transcellular Ca2+ transport and thus maintaining the Ca2+ balance in the body. To characterize its physiological function(s), a detailed expression profile of the TRPV6 channel throughout the body is essential. Capitalizing on a recently established murine Trpv6-reporter strain, we identified primary TRPV6 channel-expressing cells in an organism-wide manner. In a complementary experimental approach, we characterized TRPV6 expression in different tissues of wild-type mice by TRPV6 immunoprecipitation (IP) followed by mass spectrometry analysis and correlated these data with the reporter gene expression. Taken together, we present a TRPV6 expression atlas throughout the entire body of juvenile and adult mice, providing a novel resource to investigate the role of TRPV6 channels in vivo.

Resveratrol (RV): A pharmacological review and call for further research.

Resveratrol (RV) is a well-known polyphenolic compound in various plants, including grape, peanut, and berry fruits, which is quite famous for its association with several health benefits such as anti-obesity, cardioprotective neuroprotective, antitumor, antidiabetic, antioxidants, anti-age effects, and glucose metabolism. Significantly, promising therapeutic properties have been reported in various cancer, neurodegeneration, and atherosclerosis and are regulated by several synergistic pathways that control oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation. Similarly, RV possesses a strong anti-adipogenic effect by inhibiting fat accumulation processes and activating oxidative and lipolytic pathways, exhibiting their cardioprotective effects by inhibiting platelet aggregation. The RV also shows significant antibacterial effects against various food-borne pathogens (Listeria, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli) by inhibiting an electron transport chain (ETC) and F0F1-ATPase, which decreases the production of cellular energy that leads to the spread of pathogens. After collecting and analyzing scientific literature, it may be concluded that RV is well tolerated and favorably affects cardiovascular, neurological, and diabetic disorders. As such, it is possible that RV can be considered the best nutritional additive and a complementary drug, especially a therapeutic candidate. Therefore, this review would increase knowledge about the blend of RV as well as inspire researchers around the world to consider RV as a pharmaceutical drug to combat future health crises against various inhumane diseases. In the future, this article will be aware of discoveries about the potential of this promising natural compound as the best nutraceuticals and therapeutic drugs in medicine.

Effects of hazelnut supplemented diet on doxorubicin-induced damage of reproductive system in male rats.

The present study was objected to investigate the effect of hazelnut supplemented diet on the levels of oxidative stress and fertility parameters against doxorubicin-induced testicular and epididymal tissue damage of male rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (each n = 8), namely control group (CG), doxorubicin group (DG), doxorubicin + hazelnut group (DHG), and doxorubicin + vitamin E group (DEG). This is the first study designed using DHG. Doxorubicin was intraperitoneally injected into all diet groups except CG at a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28. In addition, DHG was supplemented with a hazelnut diet at a dose of 3 g/kg body weight/day and vitamin E was added to the drinking water of DEG at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight/day. DHG reversed the side effects of doxorubicin and positively improved the epididymis sperm quality, testicular and epididymal tissue injury, testosterone level, epididymis oxidative stress index, and lipid peroxidation in male rats. These findings suggest that hazelnut has positive effects against doxorubicin dependent damage on male rats and it may be a promising supplement for amelioration of testicular toxicity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Hazelnut has numerous positive health effects due to its macronutrients, micronutrients, lipid-soluble compounds and bioactive phenolics. Studies have shown that regular consumption of hazelnut may have a positive effect on lipid parameters, oxidative stress, inflammation markers, and endothelial dysfunction in both healthy people and patients with chronic diseases. Although doxorubicin (Adriamycin, DOX) is an antibiotic that has been widely used in cancer treatment for nearly 30 years, it causes organ toxicity including testicular tissue. Hazelnut may have positive effects on the damage caused by DOX in the reproductive system. However, studies on the effect of hazelnut on male reproductive health are scarce. Therefore, this study provided a basis for the clinical evaluation of the effects of hazelnut on the reproductive system.

The in-vivo assessment of Turkish propolis and its nano form on testicular damage induced by cisplatin.

OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapeutic drugs, such as cisplatin (CP), which are associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis, may adversely affect the reproductive system. This study tests whether administration of propolis and nano-propolis (NP) can alleviate oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats with testicular damage induced by CP. METHODS: In this study, polymeric nanoparticles including propolis were synthesized with a green sonication method and characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and wet scanning transmission electron microscopy techniques. In total, 56 rats were divided into the following seven groups: control, CP, propolis, NP-10, CP + propolis, CP + NP-10, and CP + NP-30. Propolis (100 mg/kg), NP-10 (10 mg/kg), and NP-30 (30 mg/kg) treatments were administered by gavage daily for 21 d, and CP (3 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally in a single dose. After the experiment, oxidative stress parameters, namely, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), and apoptotic pathways including B cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured in testicular tissues. Furthermore, sperm quality and weights of the testis, epididymis, right cauda epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate were evaluated. RESULTS: Propolis and NP (especially NP-30) were able to preserve oxidative balance (decreased MDA levels and increased GSH, CAT, and GPx activities) and activate apoptotic pathways (decreased Bax and increased Bcl-2) in the testes of CP-treated rats. Sperm motility in the control, CP, and CP + NP-30 groups were 60%, 48.75%, and 78%, respectively (P < 0.001). Especially, NP-30 application completely corrected the deterioration in sperm features induced by CP. CONCLUSION: The results show that propolis and NP treatments mitigated the side effects of CP on spermatogenic activity, antioxidant situation, and apoptosis in rats.