Dolichandrone serrulata flower improves seminal biochemical parameters and proteins in T2DM rats induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin.

CONTEXT: Although Dolichandrone serrulata (Wall. ex DC.) Seem (Bignoniaceae) flower (DSF) improves hyperglycaemia, testicular damage and sperm quality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) animals, its effects on the seminal vesicles, secreting seminal plasma, are unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study reports the protective effects of DSF on seminal dysfunction in T2DM rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (control, T2DM, T2DM + DSF200 and T2DM + DSF600; 10 animals/group). The control group was fed a low-fat diet for 14 days prior to single saline injection, whereas T2DM group was given a high-fat diet and injected with streptozocin (50 mg/kg body weight). The T2DM-induced rats were fed DSF orogastrically (200 and 600 mg/kg body weight) for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the experiment, biochemical components, malondialdehyde (MDA), histology and protein expression in seminal lysate were evaluated. RESULTS: DSF increased the levels of serum phosphorus (13.66 ± 0.59 mg/dL), ALP (11.85 ± 0.99 U/L), GOT (3938.23 ± 251.41 U/L) and GPT (34.16 ± 4.93), decreased MDA levels in seminal tissue, and elevated the serum testosterone in the T2DM rats. Treatment with DSF ameliorated histological damage, significantly increased seminal 44 and 31 kDa TyrPho protein expression, and decreased that of caspase 3 and 9. CONCLUSIONS: DSF extract was able to mitigate seminal dysfunction in T2DM rats via improvements of tyrosine phosphorylation, testosterone level and biochemical substances, as well as reductions of caspase proteins. DSF may be developed as an alternative medicine in treating of T2DM male subfertility and progressive complications.

Protective effects of Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens seeds on sexual behaviors and essential reproductive markers in chronic unpredictable mild stress mice.

Background and aims: Chronic stress is a major common cause of male infertility. Many species of velvet beans are shown to be rich in l-DOPA. In Thai folklore medicine, seeds of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Thai Mhamui or T-MP) have been used for treating erectile dysfunction. This study aimed to determine l-DOPA levels in T-MP seed extract and investigate its preventive on sexual behaviors and reproductive parameter damages including essential proteins in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice. Experimental procedure: Mice were divided into 4 groups: (I) control, (II) CUMS, (III) T-MP300 + CUMS, and (IV) T-MP600 + CUMS. Groups I and II received DW while groups III and IV were pretreated with the seed extracts (300 and 600 mg/kg BW) for 14 consecutive days before co-treatment with a randomly different CUMS/day (from 12 mild stressors) for 43 days. Results and conclusion: T-MP seed extract contained l-DOPA approximately 10% of total dried weight. A dose of 600 mg/kg improved sexual performances and degenerative seminiferous epithelium in CUMS mice. Sperm qualities and testosterone level were elevated while corticosterone was decreased in co-treatment groups. T-MP-CUMS cotreated groups also improved expressions of AKAP4, AR, and TyrPho proteins in testis, epididymis, and sperm. T-MP increased StAR and CYP11A1 expressions in testis. It also suppressed testicular apoptosis via decreased expressions of Hsp70, caspases 3, and 9. T-MP seeds containing l-DOPA could improve sexual behaviors and essential reproductive proteins caused by CUMS. Section: Natural Products. Taxonomy classification by evise: Traditional Herbal Medicine; Animal Model; Histopathology.

Seed extract of Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens enhances sexual performance and improves male reproductive damages in ethanol-induced rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (T-MP) has been traditionally used in treating depressive disorders, dysuria and enhancing male sexual desire. Although T-MP seed is demonstrated to have antioxidant capacity, its aphrodisiac and protective tissue damage properties have never been documented. Recently, ethanol (Eth) is known to cause sexual behavior dysfunction and damage reproductive system. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of T-MP seed extract on sexual behavior dysfunction and reproductive damages in male rats admisted with Eth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T-MP possessing antioxidant activity was determined for L-DOPA content using NMR analysis. Thirty-six male rats were divided into four groups (9 animals/group). Control rats received DW and the ethanol (Eth) group was given with Eth (3 g/kgBW; 40%v/v). In preventive groups (T-MP150 + Eth and MP300 + Eth groups), animals were treated with T-MP extract at a dose of 150 and 300 mg/kgBW before Eth administration for consecutive 56 days. Sexual behaviors including mounting frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), mounting latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculation latency (EL), post-ejaculatory interval (PEI), and ejaculation frequency (EF) were evaluated. Epididymal sperm quality and daily sperm production (DSP) were examined. Testicular histology was observed using Masson's trichrome staining. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and expressions of androgen receptor (AR), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR), and tyrosine-phosphorylated (TyrPho) proteins in testis were also determined. RESULTS: T-MP extract contained L-DOPA and improved sexual behaviors including increased MF and IF and decreased ML and IL in Eth treated rats. Significantly, sperm quality, DSP, and testicular histopathology observed in Eth group were improved after T-MP treatment. T-MP also decreased the testicular MDA levels. Additionally, T-MP could correct testicular functional proteins of AR and StAR except HSP70 expression in Eth group. Expressions of TyrPho proteins in testicular and sperm lysates were improved in co-administered groups. CONCLUSIONS: T-MP seed extract possessing L-DOPA could enhance the sexual behaviors and protect reproductive damages via improvement of testicular functional proteins.

Seed extract of Thai Mucuna pruriens reduced male reproductive damage in rats induced by chronic stress.

CONTEXT: Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Fabaceae) (TMP) is known to enrich reproduction but preventive effects on stress related adverse reproductive parameters are not documented. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the protective property of TMP seed extract on reproductive damage under chronic stress (CS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The control and CS groups received distilled water, whereas the pre-treated rats received the aqueous TMP seed extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg BW for 20 days before co-treatments with CS induction (immobilization and forced swimming) for 81 days. Serum was used to determine the cortisol and testosterone levels. Histology of testis and epididymis was observed with localization of androgen receptor (AR). Sperm parameters and the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily a member 1 (CYP11A1), AR, HSP70, caspases (3 and 9) and tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrPho) proteins were investigated. RESULTS: TMP extract improved cortisol level (0.84 ± 0.02 µg/dL) and protected against the damage of reproductive tissues and sperm parameters (count [49.78 ± 3.74 million sperm/mL], viability [90.01 ± 1.17%] and precocious acrosome reaction [1.38 ± 0.48%]). Expression of testicular StAR, CYP11A1, AR and HSP70 proteins was improved. Caspase expression was decreased in treated rats. TMP increased AR expression in CS sperm. Moreover, TyrPho protein expression was corrected after TMP administration. CONCLUSIONS: TMP seed protected against adverse reproductive parameters in CS via improvements of functionally testicular markers and reductions of apoptotic proteins. It is possible to develop the TMP beans as an alternative medicine in treating of male subfertility caused by CS.

The effect of Dolichandrone serrulata (wall. ex DC.) Seem. flower extract containing antioxidant capacity and terpenoids on the male reproductive system.

Although the fruit extract of Dolichandrone genus was shown to inhibit spermatogenesis, the reproductive toxicity of Dolichandrone serrulata flowers (DSFs) is not documented. Recent study aimed to evaluate the sub-chronic toxicity of DSF on male reproductive system. Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic contents of DSF extract were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu's, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. The terpenoid components were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. Adult male rats were treated orally with DSF (100, 300 or 600 mg/kg) for 48 days. Histopathology of testis and epididymis was observed. Sperm concentration, viability, acrosome status and morphology were also examined. Expressions of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), tyrosine-phosphorylated (TyrPho) proteins, androgen receptor (AR) and steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein in testis were investigated. Results showed that DSF contained phenolic compounds and terpenoids (phytoandrogens; rengyolone and cleroindicin B). No reproductive histopathology was observed in DSF-treated rats. Although DSF decreased the serum testosterone level, the sperm qualities were not affected. Particularly, sperm concentration of DSF-treated animals was significantly increased. DSF changed the testicular TyrPho proteins but the expression of AR, StAR or Hsp70 was not altered. In conclusion, DSF possesses antioxidant capacity with no toxicity on male reproductive system.

Dolichandrone serrulata flower extract ameliorates male reproductive damages in type 2 diabetic rats.

Dolichandrone serrulata flower (DSF) has been believed to reduce blood glucose in hyperglycaemic persons with sub-fertility but its effect on improvement of male reproductive impairment has never been elucidated scientifically. This study attempted to investigate the hypoglycaemic effects of DSF on male reproductive damages in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. Adult Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups (control, T2DM, DSF200 + T2DM and DSF600 + T2DM; n = 10/each). Control rats received low-fat diet for 14 days before saline injection while streptozocin (50 mg/kg BW) induced T2DM groups received high-fat diet and were orally administered with DSF (200 and 600 mg/kg BW) for 28 days. At the end, fasted blood glucose (FBG), malondialdehyde (MDA), testosterone, sperm quality, histology and protein expressions were examined. The result showed that DSF decreased high FBG and testicular MDA and increased testosterone levels of T2DM-treated rats. Low-sperm quality and histological malfunction were ameliorated in DSF-treated group. There was significant decrease in the expression of androgen receptor, heat-shock 70 and steroidogenic acute regulatory proteins of T2DM-treated rats. Our study demonstrated changes of six bands (116, 51, 45, 39, 35 and 29 kDas) of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. In conclusion, DSF could reduce the FBGand ameliorate the reproductive damages in male T2DM rats.

Mimosine increases the expressions of tyrosine phosphorylated protein in mouse seminal vesicles / La mimosina aumenta la expresión de la proteína tirosina fosforilada en las vesículas seminales del ratón

Acute effect of purified mimosine (MiMo) extracted from Leucaena leucocephala on testicular histopathology has been documented with seminal vesicle (SV) atrophy. Since protein phosphorylation and seminal secretions play important roles in sperm physiology, this study aimed to study the alteration of substances including tyrosine phosphorylated (TyrPho) proteins in seminal vesicle treated with MiMo. Male mice were divided into a control and experimental groups treated with purified MiMo at 3 doses of 15, 30, and 60 mg/KgBW, respectively for 35 consecutive days. The morphology and weights of SV were compared among groups. The levels of magnesium and fructosamine in SV fluid were assayed. The profiles of equally SV total proteins were compared using SDS-PAGE. The expression of seminal TyrPho proteins was detected by western blotting. Recent results showed the decreased weights of SV in MiMo treated mice compared to control. However MiMo in all doses did not affect the levels of magnesium and fructosamine in SV fluid. The SV protein expression of 130 and 55 kDas was obviously decreased in a high dose MiMo. In dose-dependent response, the expressions of 72 and 55 kDas TyrPho proteins of SV were increased. In conclusion, MiMo could affect SV morphological size and protein secretions especially TyrPho proteins.

El efecto agudo de la mimosina purificada (MiMo) extraída de Leucaena leucocephala en la histopatología testicular se ha documentado con atrofia de vesícula seminal (VS). Debido a que la fosforilación de proteínas y las secreciones seminales tienen un papel importante en la fisiología de los espermatozoides, este estudio tuvo como objetivo estudiar la alteración de sustancias como la proteína tirosina fosforilada (TyrPho) en vesículas seminales tratadas con MiMo. Los ratones se dividieron en un grupo control y un grupo experimental y se trataron con MiMo purificado en 3 dosis de 15, 30 y 60 mg / KgBW, respectivamente, durante 35 días seguidos. La morfología y los pesos de VS se compararon entre los grupos. Fueron analizados los niveles de magnesio y fructosamina en el fluido VS. Los perfiles de las proteínas totales de VS se compararon utilizando SDS-PAGE. La expresión de la proteína TyrPho en las vesículas seminales se detectó mediante transferencia de Western blot. Los resultados recientes muestran la disminución del peso de las VS en ratones tratados con MiMo, en comparación con el grupo control. Sin embargo, en ninguna de las dosis se vieron afectados por mimosina purificada los niveles de magnesio y fructosamina en el líquido de las VS. La expresión de la proteína en VS de 130 y 55 kDas disminuyó notablemente en una dosis alta de MiMo. En la respuesta dependiente de la dosis, aumentaron las expresiones de 72 y 55 kDas de las proteínas TyrPho en las VS. En conclusión, la mimosina purificada podría afectar el tamaño morfológico de las VS y la expresión de proteínas, especialmente las proteínas TyrPho.

Effect of Vernonia cinerea in improvement of respiratory tissue in chronic nicotine treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effect of Vernonia cinerea (VC) on rat respiratory tissue in chronic nicotine condition. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Pathology of rat respiratory tissue was induced by intraperitoneally injection with 1 mg/kg BW of rat. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups, control group (C), nicotine treated group (N) and nicotine treated with Vernonia cinerea (VC) supplementation (NV, 100 mg/kg BW of rat) for 3 and 6 months. The animals were sacrificed and the respiratory tissues were removed and further processed for paraffin embedment and stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), and Masson's trichrome techniques. RESULTS: The histopathology of lung tissue and trachea occurred in a chronic nicotine treatment. The thickness of alveolar walls and proliferation of alveolar type 2 cell were found. There was remarkable increasing of various inflammatory cells, alveolar macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells after nicotine treatment for 6 months. A large number of small blood vessels appeared in the alveolar wall. Nicotine also caused fibrosis which dispersed throughout the lung parenchyma in perivascular peribronchiole and alveolar wall regions. Moreover there was the appearance of epithelial cell injury and goblet cell hyperplasia in the trachea. Regarding the VC supplementation, the result of a recovery of alveolar walls, i.e. decreasing of various inflammatory cells and alveolar type 2 cells was clearly demonstrated. In addition, the fibrosis and goblet cell hyperplasia were almost disappeared in the lung tissue after VC treatment. CONCLUSION: Administration of VC in a chronic nicotine treatment resulted in an improvement of respiratory tissue. The recovery of the respiratory tract, especially trachea and lung tissue was characterized by the remarkable decrease of various inflammatory cells, fibrotic areas, and goblet cell hyperplasia. The VC, therefore shows the potential effect to be a new herbal therapeutic agent for alleviate the symptoms of the respiratory tract caused by nicotine from heavy cigarette smoke.