Physiological roles of propolis and red ginseng nanoplatforms in alleviating dexamethasone-induced male reproductive challenges in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Red ginseng and propolis are well-known antioxidants that have been related to a reduction in oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficiency of red ginseng and propolis, either in powder or as nano-forms against dexamethasone-induced testicular oxidative challenges in adult male albino rats. METHODS: Forty rats were divided into 8 equal groups including control negative group that was given vehicle (DMSO), control positive group that was administered dexamethasone in addition to the nano-propolis, nano-ginseng, nano-propolis + dexamethasone, nano ginseng+dexamethasone, propolis+dexamethasone and ginseng + dexamethasone groups. Serum, semen and tissue samples were obtained. RESULTS: Lower testosterone levels, higher levels of MDA, and lower levels of total antioxidant capacity in serum, as well as impaired semen quality and a disturbed histopathological picture of both the testis and seminal glands, were all observed as significant negative effects of dexamethasone. These findings were confirmed by lower gene expression profiles of CYP11A1, StAR, HSD-3b, Nrf-2 and ACTB-3b in testicular and seminal gland tissues. The most powerful anti-dexamethasone effects were obtained with either propolis in nanoform or conventional ginseng. CONCLUSION: Propolis nano-formulation and ginseng in conventional form could be considered excellent candidates to ameliorate the oxidative stress provoked by dexamethasone, however, neither nano-ginseng nor conventional propolis showed such effects.

Impact of nano-selenium on nuclear maturation and genes expression profile of buffalo oocytes matured in vitro.

Supplementation of maturation media with antioxidant (bulk form) improves oocyte maturation. However, the influence of adding antioxidant (nano-particles) on oocyte maturation is not well known. We aimed to evaluate the effect of selenium nano-particles (SeNP) and bulk selenium (Se) on buffalo oocytes maturation, in terms nuclear maturation and molecular level. Oocytes were distributed into four groups; 1st group was control, 2nd group was supplied with Se (10 ng/ml), 3rd and 4th groups were supplied with 1 µg/ml SeNP (67 nm), and SeNP (40 nm), respectively. Matured oocytes were fixed and stained to determine nuclear maturation. Oocytes and COC after IVM were stored at - 80 °C, for RNA isolation and qRT-PCR for selected genes. The Se and seNP (40 nm) had a positive effect on oocytes nuclear maturation rates. Apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase (CASP3) was reduced in all supplemented groups. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was up-regulated in oocytes supplemented with SeNP (40 nm). In COC, AMH increased in group supplemented with SeNP (67 nm). In oocytes, phospholipase A2 group III (PLA2G3) decreased in all supplemented groups. While in COC, PLA2G3increased in group supplied with Se. In COC, luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) increased in groups supplied with Se or SeNP (40 nm).Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) increased in all supplemented groups, in oocytes and COC. In oocytes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) was up-regulated in supplemented groups {Se and SeNP (67 nm)}.The DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) in oocytes was reduced in supplemented groups. In oocytes, the POU class 5 homeobox 1 (OCT4) increased in all supplemented groups. In COC, the OCT4 was over-expressed in group supplemented with SeNP (40 nm). Selenium supplementation in bulk or nano-particle improved in vitro buffalo oocytes maturation, viaup-regulation of antioxidant defense and development competence genes. SeNP (smaller size, 40 nm) induced higher expression of antioxidant gene.