Cinnamomum zeylanicum alleviate testicular damage induced by high fat diet in albino rats; histological and ultrastructural studies

Protective Effect of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Extract on the Sperm Quality During Cool Storage of Ram Semen

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, poses a significant threat to sperm quality during storage.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of cinnamon extract, a natural antioxidant, on ram sperm quality during liquid storage at 4°C.

METHODS

Semen samples from 10 rams were collected, diluted and divided into five treatment groups. Each group received different concentrations of cinnamon extract (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 µL/mL) added to the diluted semen. Sperm quality was evaluated at storage intervals of 1, 24, 48 and 72 h, with all samples maintained at 4°C during the storage period.

RESULTS

This study demonstrated that cinnamon extract significantly enhances ram sperm quality during liquid storage at 4°C. Notably, the addition of cinnamon extract, particularly at a concentration of 100 µL/mL, resulted in substantial improvements in progressive motility, total motility, sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity over the storage period. Specifically, after 1 h, the 50 µL/mL group showed a significant increase in progressive motility. At 24 h, both total and progressive motility were significantly higher in the 50, 100 and 150 µL/mL groups. By 48 h, the 50 and 100 µL/mL groups demonstrated significant enhancements in all measured parameters. The optimal results were observed at 72 h, where the 100 µL/mL group exhibited the highest values across all sperm quality metrics. These findings underscore the effectiveness of cinnamon extract as a natural antioxidant for preserving sperm quality during storage.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation with cinnamon extract significantly enhances ram sperm quality, with an optimal concentration of 100 µL/mL effectively maintaining sperm viability during 72 h of liquid storage. These results suggest that cinnamon extract may serve as a valuable natural antioxidant for improving sperm preservation in liquid storage conditions.

Protective effects of melatonin against oxidative stress induced by metabolic disorders in the male reproductive system: a systematic review and meta-analysis of rodent models

Background

Male infertility is a multifaceted issue that has gained scientific interest due to its increasing rate. Studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress is involved in male infertility development. Furthermore, metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, are risk factors for male infertility, and oxidative stress is believed to contribute to this association. Melatonin, functioning as an oxidative scavenger, may represent a promising therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorder-associated male infertility.

Material and methods

We systematically searched three online databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) for studies that evaluated the effects of melatonin therapy on metabolic disorders-induce infertility in male rodents. The favorable outcomes were histopathological parameters of testicular tissue, reproductive hormones, and markers of oxidative stress. Then, meta-analyses were done for each outcome. The results are reported as standardized mean difference (Cohen's d) and 95% confidence interval.

Results

24 studies with 31 outcomes were included. Rats and mice were the subjects. Studies have employed obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hyperlipidemia, and food deprivation as metabolic disorders. To induce these disorders, a high-fat diet, high-fructose diet, leptin, streptozotocin, alloxan, carbimazole, and levothyroxine were used. The outcomes included histopathologic characteristics (abnormal sperm morphology, apoptotic cells, apoptotic index, Johnsen's testicular biopsy score, seminiferous epithelial height, tubular basement membrane thickness, tubular diameter, sperm count, and motility), weight-related measurements (absolute epididymis, testis, and body weight, body weight gain, epididymal adipose tissue weight, and relative testis to body weight), hormonal characteristics (androgen receptor expression, serum FSH, LH, and testosterone level), markers of oxidative stress (tissue and serum GPx and MDA activity, tissue CAT, GSH, and SOD activity), and exploratory outcomes (serum HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose level). The overall pooled effect sizes were statistically significant for all histopathological characteristics and some markers of oxidative stress.

Conclusions

Melatonin can reduce damage to male rodents' gonadal tissue and improve sperm count, motility, and morphology in metabolic diseases. Future clinical studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of melatonin for male infertility in patients with metabolic diseases.

Alzheimer's disease: Molecular aspects and treatment opportunities using herbal drugs

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also called senile dementia, is the most common neurological disorder. Around 50 million people, mostly of advanced age, are suffering from dementia worldwide and this is expected to reach 100-130 million between 2040 and 2050. AD is characterized by impaired glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmission, which is associated with clinical and pathological symptoms. AD is characterized clinically by loss of cognition and memory impairment and pathologically by senile plaques formed by Amyloid β deposits or neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) consisting of aggregated tau proteins. Amyloid β deposits are responsible for glutamatergic dysfunction that develops NMDA dependent Ca2+ influx into postsynaptic neurons generating slow excitotoxicity process leading to oxidative stress and finally impaired cognition and neuronal loss. Amyloid decreases acetylcholine release, synthesis and neuronal transport. The decreased levels of neurotransmitter acetylcholine, neuronal loss, tau aggregation, amyloid β plaques, increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, bio-metal dyshomeostasis, autophagy, cell cycle dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction are the factors responsible for the pathogenesis of AD. Acetylcholinesterase, NMDA, Glutamate, BACE1, 5HT6, and RAGE (Receptors for Advanced Glycation End products) are receptors targeted in treatment of AD. The FDA approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine and N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist Memantine provide symptomatic relief. Different therapies such as amyloid β therapies, tau-based therapies, neurotransmitter-based therapies, autophagy-based therapies, multi-target therapeutic strategies, and gene therapy modify the natural course of the disease. Herbal and food intake is also important as preventive strategy and recently focus has also been placed on herbal drugs for treatment. This review focuses on the molecular aspects, pathogenesis and recent studies that signifies the potential of medicinal plants and their extracts or chemical constituents for the treatment of degenerative symptoms related to AD.

Therapeutic effects of Salvia balansae on metabolic disorders and testicular dysfunction mediated by a high-fat diet in Wistar rats

Medicinal plants offer an important therapeutic resource in treatment of male infertility. We aim to evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of Salvia balansae on metabolic disorders and testicular dysfunction resulting from a high-fat diet (HFD). Antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of S. balansae leaves was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay. Antidiabetic activity was determined by α-amylase inhibition. In vivo, HFD was administered in Wistar rats for 18 weeks and aqueous extract of S. balansae for the last 6 weeks (200 mg/Kg of body weight/day). At the term of experimentation, testosterone and some plasma parameters were analyzed and removed testes were subjected to a histomorphometric study. Our results show high levels of phenolic components in aqueous extract of S. balansae and significant antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. HFD increases body weight, causes type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, liver failure and inflammation. Also, HFD decreases testosterone and alters testis histological structure (seminiferous tubular degeneration, impaired spermatogenesis and interstitial fibrosis). Treatment of HFD rats with extract of S. balansae normalizes body weight and plasma parameters, increases testosterone and regenerates testicular structure and function. In summary, S. balansae could reduce metabolic complications induced by HFD and serve the basis for developing a new therapy for testicular dysfunction.

The lipid-lowering effects of fenugreek gum, hawthorn pectin, and burdock inulin

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effects and mechanisms of fenugreek gum (FG), hawthorn pectin (HP), and burdock inulin (BI) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Methods

In this study, high-fat diet (HFD) together with fat emulsion administration were used to establish hyperlipidemia model. The biochemical indices were assayed after administration of FG, HP, and BI. Their effects were evaluated by factor analysis. Alterations of gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecal were assessed to illustrate the mechanism of lipid lowering.

Results

The supplementation of FG, HP, and BI on HFD-fed rats decreased the levels of serum lipid and reduced the HFD-related liver and testicle damage. In the scatter plot of factor analysis, HP and BI were closer to normal fat diet (NFD) group in restoring the severity of hyperlipidemia, while FG and HP enhanced the excretion of cholesterol and bile acids (BAs). The levels of total SCFAs, especially butyric acid reduced by HFD were increased by HP. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes increased by HFD was reduced by HP and BI. FG, HP, and BI enriched intestinal probiotics, which were related to bile acid excretion or lipid-lowering.

Conclusions

FG inhibited the absorption of cholesterol and enhanced the excretion of it, as well as increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria. While BI restored the imbalance of intestinal microbiota. HP enhanced the excretion of cholesterol and BAs, and restored the imbalance of intestinal microbiota. It was also utilized by intestinal microorganisms to yield SCFAs. This study suggested that FG, HP, and BI possessed the potential to be utilized as dietary supplements for obesity management.

Expression of genes and localization of enzymes involved in polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in rabbit testis and epididymis

The metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) plays an important role in male reproduction. Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids need to be provided in the diet and they are converted into long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by steps of elongation and desaturation, exerted by elongases 2 (ELOVL2) and 5 (ELOVL5) and Δ5- (FADS1) and Δ6-desaturase (FADS2). This study aims to assess the gene expression and localization of enzymes involved in the synthesis of n-3 and n-6 long-chain PUFAs in control rabbits and those fed diets containing 10% extruded flaxseed. Enzyme and PUFA localization were assessed in the testes and epididymis by immunofluorescence. Testes showed high gene expression of FADS2, ELOVL2 and ELOVL5 and low expression of FADS1. Intermediate metabolites, enzymes and final products were differently found in Leydig, Sertoli and germinal cells. FADS2 was localized in interstitial cells and elongated spermatids; ELOVL5 in meiotic cells; FADS1 was evident in interstitial tissue, Sertoli cells and elongated spermatids; ELOVL2 in interstitial cells. Epididymal vesicles were positive for FADS1, ELOVL2 and ELOVL5 as well as docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, and arachidonic acids. This knowledge of fatty acids (FA) metabolism in spermatogenesis and the influence of diet on FA profile could help identify causes of male infertility, suggesting new personalized therapy.

A comparative study between curcumin and curcumin nanoemulsion on high-fat, high-fructose diet-induced impaired spermatogenesis in rats

Objectives

Curcumin is a promising nutraceutical with reported diverse therapeutic properties, but of limited oral bioavailability. The current manuscript investigates the role of encapsulation of curcumin in nanoemulsion form in counteracting the adverse effect of chronic ingestion of a high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHF) by juvenile male rats regarding testicular abnormalities and declined spermatogenesis.

Methods

Curcumin nanoemulsion was administered orally to Wistar rats at a dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg and compared with curcumin powder, followed by a pharmacological and histological assessment.

Key findings

Results demonstrated that curcumin nanoemulsion was superior to curcumin powder, particularly in enhancing the percentage progressive motility of spermatozoa, normalization of essential and non-essential amino acids in semen, normalization of serum leptin and testosterone levels, as well as normalization of oxidative and nitrosative parameters. It was also proven to reduce testicular DNA fragmentation, while elevating testicular cellular energy. In addition, curcumin nanoemulsion administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg induced the highest level of spermatogenesis, delineated by histological examination of the seminiferous tubules.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that curcumin nanoemulsion administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg successfully ameliorates the adverse effects of a HFHF on spermatogenesis.

High cholesterol diet activates ER stress mediated apoptosis in testes tissue: Role of α-tocopherol

The seminiferous tubules where spermatogenesis occurs are enveloped and protected by the Sertoli cells to support germ cells undergoing meiosis to produce haploid gametes. Clearly, induction of apoptosis in seminiferous tubules leads to abnormalities in spermatogenesis and male infertility. Studies demonstrated that increased hyperlipidemia impairs male infertility and spermatogenesis by enhancing seminiferous tubules apoptosis. However, molecular mechanisms underlying high-cholesterol-mediated testicular damage remain poorly elucidated. In this scope, we established a rabbit model and investigated the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on high cholesterol diet induced seminiferous tubule apoptosis. Histopatological examinations revealed increased seminifer tubule apoptosis in testes of rabbits fed high cholesterol diet. In addition, phosphorylated forms of IRE1 and PERK, two well-identified markers of ER stress, were significantly induced in accordance with high cholesterol diet. High cholesterol diet also exhibited CHOP induction in testes, indicating increased ER stress related apoptosis. Supplementation of α-tocopherol significantly attenuated cholesterol mediated ER stress, and restored seminiferous tubules apoptosis. Taken together, our findings suggest that α-tocopherol might be capable to reduce testicular damage via ameliorating histopatological features and inhibiting seminiferous tubules apoptosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Bertholletia excelsa Seeds Reduce Anxiety-Like Behavior, Lipids, and Overweight in Mice

Overweight, obesity, and psychiatric disorders are serious health problems. To evidence the anxiolytic-like effects and lipid reduction in mice receiving a high-calorie diet and Bertholletia excelsa seeds in a nonpolar extract (SBHX, 30 and 300 mg/kg), animals were assessed in open-field, hole-board, and elevated plus-maze tests. SBHX (3 and 10 mg/kg) potentiated the pentobarbital-induced hypnosis. Chronic administration of SBHX for 40 days was given to mice fed with a hypercaloric diet to determine the relationship between water and food intake vs. changes in body weight. Testes, epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and liver were dissected to analyze fat content, triglycerides, cholesterol, and histological effects after administering the hypercaloric diet and SBHX. Fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid (0.14%), palmitic acid (21.42%), linoleic acid (11.02%), oleic acid (59.97%), and stearic acid (7.44%), were identified as constituents of SBHX, producing significant anxiolytic-like effects and preventing body-weight gain in mice receiving the hypercaloric diet without altering their water or food consumption. There was also a lipid-lowering effect on the testicular tissue and eWAT and a reduction of adipocyte area in eWAT. Our data evidence beneficial properties of B. excelsa seeds influencing global health concerns such as obesity and anxiety.