Can some food/medicinal plants directly affect porcine ovarian granulosa cells and mitigate the toxic effect of toluene?

The action of buckwheat, rooibos and vitex on healthy female reproductive systems, as well as their ability to mitigate the reproductive toxicity of environmental contaminant toluene have not yet been examined. We analysed the influence of toluene (0, 10, 100 or 1000 ng/mL) with and without these plant extracts (10 µg/mL) on cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Cell viability, proliferation (PCNA accumulation), apoptosis (accumulation of bax) and release of progesterone (P) and oestradiol (E) were measured. Toluene reduced ovarian cell viability and proliferation, increased apoptosis and suppressed E but not P release. Plant extracts, given alone, were also able to directly suppress some ovarian cell functions. The addition of buckwheat promoted toluene action on cell viability, proliferation and P release, but it did not modify other toluene effects. Rooibos mitigated toluene action on cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis but promoted its action on P and E. The addition of vitex mitigated all the tested toluene effects. These observations: (1) demonstrate the direct toxic influence of toluene on ovarian cells, (2) demonstrate the ability of food/medicinal plants to either promote or mitigate toluene effects and (3) suggest that vitex could be a natural protector against the suppressive effect of toluene on female reproduction.

Can flaxseed, chia or puncture vine affect mare ovarian cell functions and prevent the toxic effect of the environmental contaminant toluene?

The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the potential effect of functional food plant extracts, namely, extracts of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), chia (Salvia hispanica) and puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris L.), on basic mare ovarian cell functions and their response to the environmental contaminant toluene. Mare granulosa cells were incubated with and without toluene (0, 0.02, 0.2 or 2.0 µg/mL) in the presence or absence of flaxseed, chia and puncture vine extracts (10 µg/mL). Markers of cell proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA) and apoptosis (accumulation of bax), viability (Trypan blue extrusion) and the release of progesterone (P), oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin F 2 alpha (PGF) were measured. Toluene reduced all other measured parameters except OT release. All the tested plants were able to reduce cell viability and the release of P and PGF, but they did not influence other indexes. Moreover, flaxseed mitigated toluene action on ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, OT and PGF, whilst puncture vine prevented and inverted toluene action on P and PGF ourput. Chia extract did not modify toluene action on any parameter. On the other hand, toluene was able to promote the inhibitory action of flaxseed on cell viability and P release and to prevent the inhibitory action of all the plant extracts on PGF release. The present study (1) is the first demonstration, that flaxseed, chia and puncture vine can directly suppress mare ovarian cell functions, (2) shows that toluene can suppress basic ovarian cell functions and modify the reproductive effect of food plants and (3) demonstrates the ability of flaxseed and puncture vine, but not of chia, to prevent some toxic effect of toluene on mare ovarian cell functions.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) can directly suppress basic ovarian cell functions in two farm animal species and protect ovarian cells from the proliferation-stimulating influence of xylene.

The influence of the functional food plant chia (Salvia hispanica L.) on reproduction functions and its ability to prevent the negative effects of environmental contaminants has not yet been studied. Our study aimed to examine the effect of chia seed extract alone and in combination with xylene on the markers of proliferation, apoptosis and hormones release by cultured bovine and porcine ovarian granulosa cells. The extract of chia reduced all of the measured parameters in bovine and porcine ovarian cells but had no effect on the proliferation of porcine cells. Xylene, stimulated proliferation and IGF-I release and inhibited the release of progesterone and testosterone but not apoptosis of bovine granulosa cells. It promoted proliferation, apoptosis and progesterone output by porcine cells. Chia mitigated the stimulatory effect of xylene on proliferation but not on other parameters in both species. The present results are the first demonstration of a direct effect of chia on basic ovarian cell functions. They confirmed a direct influence of xylene on these functions and found a similar stimulatory action of xylene on bovine and porcine ovarian cell proliferation. The present observations demonstrated species-specific differences in the characteristics of xylene influences on ovarian cell apoptosis and secretory activity. Finally, the present results indicate that chia can be a natural protector against the proliferation-stimulating effects of xylene on ovarian cells in both species.

Ginkgo, fennel, and flaxseed can affect hormone release by porcine ovarian cells and modulate the effect of toluene.

Experimental studies have documented the toxic effects of toluene on the mammalian female reproductive processes. The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the potential of functional food plant extracts, namely, of ginkgo, fennel, and flaxseed, in modifying the toluene-induced effects on ovarian hormone release. Porcine granulosa cells were incubated with ginkgo, fennel, or flaxseed extracts (0, 1, 10, or 100 µg/mL) and/or toluene (10 µg/mL). Enzyme immunoassays were used in order to measure the release of progesterone (P), oxytocin (OT), and prostaglandin F (PGF) in the culture media. Toluene suppressed the release of P and enhanced the release of OT and PGF. All tested plant extracts reduced P and increased OT release, while the PGF output was found inhibited by ginkgo and stimulated by fennel and flaxseed. When the cells were incubated with toluene and each one of the plant extracts, toluene was able to prevent their action on P release, as well as those of fennel and flaxseed on OT and PGF release. Moreover, ginkgo enhanced but fennel or flaxseed prevented the toluene-induced effects on OT and PGF release. These observations (i) document novel aspects of the toluene-induced toxicity; (ii) demonstrate the direct influence of ginkgo, fennel, and flaxseed extracts on the ovarian secretory activity; (iii) inform our understanding of the interrelationship between toluene and the tested plant extracts with regard to their effects on ovarian hormone release; (iiii) demonstrate the ability of fennel and flaxseed to prevent adverse effect of toluene on ovarian hormones.

Corrigendum to: Direct action of leptin, obestatin and ginkgo on hormone release by luteinised human ovarian granulosa cells.

CONTEXT: The role of metabolic hormones, medicinal plants and their interrelationships in the control of human reproductive processes are poorly understood. AIMS: To examine how leptin, obestatin and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) affect human ovarian hormone release. METHODS: We analysed the influence of leptin and obestatin alone and in combination with ginkgo extract on cultured human ovarian granulosa cells. The release of progesterone (P), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin F (PGF) were analysed by enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. KEY RESULTS: Leptin addition promoted the release of all the measured hormones. Obestatin stimulated the release of P, IGF-I and OT and inhibited PGF output. Ginkgo suppressed P, IGF-I and OT and promoted PGF release. Furthermore, ginkgo changed the stimulatory action of leptin on PGF to an inhibitory one. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin and obestatin are involved in the control of human ovarian hormone release and ginkgo influences their function. IMPLICATIONS: Leptin and obestatin could be useful as stimulators of human ovarian cell functions. The suppressive influence of ginkgo on ovarian function should lead to the development of ginkgo-containing drugs.

Direct action of leptin, obestatin and ginkgo on hormone release by luteinised human ovarian granulosa cells.

CONTEXT: The role of metabolic hormones, medicinal plants and their interrelationships in the control of human reproductive processes are poorly understood. AIMS: To examine how leptin, obestatin and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) affect human ovarian hormone release. METHODS: We analysed the influence of leptin and obestatin alone and in combination with ginkgo extract on cultured human ovarian granulosa cells. The release of progesterone (P), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin F (PGF) were analysed by enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. KEY RESULTS: Leptin addition promoted the release of all the measured hormones. Obestatin stimulated the release of P, IGF-I and OT and inhibited PGF output. Ginkgo suppressed P, IGF-I and OT and promoted PGF release. Furthermore, ginkgo changed the stimulatory action of leptin on PGF to an inhibitory one. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin and obestatin are involved in the control of human ovarian hormone release and ginkgo influences their function. IMPLICATIONS: Leptin and obestatin could be useful as stimulators of human ovarian cell functions. The suppressive influence of ginkgo on ovarian function should lead to the development of ginkgo-containing drugs.

Buckwheat, rooibos, and vitex extracts can mitigate adverse effects of xylene on ovarian cells in vitro.

This study examines whether selected functional food and medicinal plants can mitigate the adverse effects of xylene on ovarian cells. The influences of xylene (0, 10, 100, or 1000 ng/mL), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), vitex (Vitex agnus-castus), extracts (10 µg/mL each), and a combination of xylene with these plant additives on cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells are compared. Cell viability, proliferation (PCNA accumulation), apoptosis (accumulation of bax), and release of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) were analyzed by the trypan blue tests, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. Xylene suppressed all measures of ovarian cell function. Rooibos prevented all of xylene's effects, whereas buckwheat and vitex prevented four of five of the analyzed effects (buckwheat prevented xylene influence on viability, PCNA, bax, and E2; vitex prevented xylene action on viability, PCNA, and P4 and E2). These observations show that xylene has the potential to suppress ovarian cell functions, and that buckwheat, rooibos, and vitex can mitigate those effects, making them natural protectors against the adverse effects of xylene on ovarian cells.

Effects of benzene on gilts ovarian cell functions alone and in combination with buckwheat, rooibos, and vitex.

We aimed to examine the influence of benzene and of three dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) plant extracts-buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum), rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), and vitex, (Vitex Agnus-Castus), and the combination of benzene with these three plant extracts on basic ovarian cell functions. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of benzene (0, 10, 100, or 1000 ng/mL) with and without these three plant additives on porcine ovarian granulosa cells cultured during 2 days with and without these additives. Cell viability, proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein , bax), and the release of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E) were analyzed by the Trypan blue test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Benzene reduced cell viability, as well as P and E release. Plant extracts, given alone, were able directly promote or suppress ovarian cell functions. Furthermore, buckwheat and rooibos, but not vitex prevented the inhibitory action of benzene on cell viability. Buckwheat induced the stimulatory action of benzene on proliferation. Rooibos and vitex promoted benzene effect on cell apoptosis. All these plant additives were able to promote suppressive action of benzene on ovarian steroidogenesis.These observations show that benzene may directly suppress ovarian cell viability, P, and E release and that buckwheat, rooibos, and vitex can directly influence ovarian cell functions and modify the effects of benzene-prevent toxic influence of benzene on cell viability and induce stimulatory action of benzene on ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis. The observed direct effects of benzene and these plants on ovarian cells functions, as well as the functional interrelationships of benzene and these plants, should be taken into account in their future applications.

Bee pollens originating from different species have unique effects on ovarian cell functions.

CONTEXT: The species-specific differences and mechanisms of action of bee pollen on reproduction have not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: We compared the effects of bee pollen extracts from different plants on ovarian cell functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the effects of pollens from black alder, dandelion, maize, rapeseed, and willow at 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, or 100 µg/mL on cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Cell viability was assessed with a Trypan blue test, the cell proliferation marker (PCNA), and an apoptosis marker (BAX) were assessed by immunocytochemistry. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) release was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Addition of any bee pollen reduced cell viability, promoted accumulation of both proliferation and apoptosis markers, and promoted IGF-I release. The ability of various pollens to suppress cell viability ranked as follows: rapeseed > dandelion > alder > maize > willow. The biological activity of bee pollens regarding their stimulatory action on ovarian cell proliferation ranked as follows: dandelion > willow > maize > alder > rapeseed. Cell apoptosis was promoted by pollens as follows: range > dandelion > alder > rapeseed > willow > maize. The ability of the pollens to stimulate IGF-I output are as follows: willow > dandelion > rapeseed > maize > alder. DISCUSSION: Bee pollen can promote ovarian cell proliferation by promoting IGF-I release, but it induces the dominance of apoptosis over proliferation and the reduction in ovarian cell viability in a species-specific manner. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration of adverse effects of bee pollen on ovarian cell viability and of its direct stimulatory influence on proliferation, apoptosis, and IGF-I release. The biological potency of bee pollen is dependent on the plant species.

Abatement of the Stimulatory Effect of Copper Nanoparticles Supported on Titania on Ovarian Cell Functions by Some Plants and Phytochemicals.

The application of nanoparticles has experienced a vertiginous growth, but their interaction with food and medicinal plants in organisms, especially in the control of reproduction, remains unresolved. We examined the influence of copper nanoparticles supported on titania (CuNPs/TiO2), plant extracts (buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)), phytochemicals (rutin and apigenin), and their combination with CuNPs/TiO2 on ovarian cell functions, using cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Cell viability, proliferation (PCNA accumulation), apoptosis (accumulation of bax), and hormones release (progesterone, testosterone, and 17ß-estradiol) were analyzed by the Trypan blue test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and ELISA, respectively. CuNPs/TiO2 increased cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and testosterone but not progesterone release, and reduced the 17ß-estradiol output. Plant extracts and components have similar stimulatory action on ovarian cell functions as CuNPs/TiO2, but abated the majority of the CuNPs/TiO2 effects. This study concludes that (1) CuNPs/TiO2 can directly stimulate ovarian cell functions, promoting ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, turnover, viability, and steroid hormones release; (2) the plants buckwheat and vitex, as well as rutin and apigenin, can promote some of these ovarian functions too; and (3) these plant additives mitigate the CuNPs/TiO2's activity, something that must be considered when applied together.

Interrelationships between metabolic hormones, leptin and ghrelin, and oil-related contaminants in control of oxytocin and prostaglandin F release by feline ovaries.

We examined the effects of metabolic hormones leptin and ghrelin, and the oil-related environmental contaminants toluene and xylene on the release of ovarian hormones by gravid and non-gravid cats, as well as the functional interrelationships between metabolic hormones and contaminants. Ovarian fragments of non-gravid cats were cultured with and without leptin and toluene. Next, ovarian fragments of either non-gravid or gravid animals were cultured with and without ghrelin and xylene. Oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin F (PGF) release was measured using ELISA. We confirm ovarian OT and PGF production by feline ovary, demonstrate the involvement of leptin and ghrelin in controlling OT and PGF release, show the direct influence of toluene and xylene on feline ovarian secretory activity, indicate the ability of leptin and ghrelin to mimic and promote the main contaminant effects, demonstrate that oil-related contaminants can prevent and even invert the effects of leptin and ghrelin on the ovary, and suggest the gravidity-associated changes in ability of ghrelin to promote xylene action on PGF (but not to OT), but not in basic ovarian OT and PGF release and their response to ghrelin or xylene.