Evaluation of the protective effects of icariin on nicotine-induced reproductive toxicity in male mouse -a pilot study

Syringin alleviates bisphenol A-induced spermatogenic defects and testicular injury by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation in male zebrafish

Syringin (SRG) is a bioactive principle possessing extensive activities including scavenging of free radicals, inhibition of apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effects on spermatogenic defects and testicular injury as well as the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of SRG on testis damage in zebrafish and explore its potential molecular events. Zebrafish testicular injury was induced by exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) (3000 μg/L) for two weeks. Fish were treated with intraperitoneal injection of SRG at different doses (5 and 50 mg/kg bodyweight) for two more weeks under BPA induction. Subsequently, the testis and sperm were collected for morphological, histological, biochemical and gene expression examination. It was found that the administration of SRG resulted in a significant protection from BPA-caused impact on sperm concentration, morphology, motility, fertility rate, testosterone level, spermatogenic dysfunction and resulted in increased apoptotic and reactive oxygen species' levels. Furthermore, testicular transcriptional profiling alterations revealed that the regulation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress were generally enriched in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after SRG treatment. Additionally, it was identified that SRG prevented BPA-induced zebrafish testis injury through upregulation of fn1a, krt17, fabp10a, serpina1l and ctss2. These results indicate that SRG alleviated spermatogenic defects and testicular injury by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation in male zebrafish.

Protective effect of Enicostemma axillare - Swertiamarin on oxidative stress against nicotine-induced liver damage in SD rats

OBJECTIVE

The current investigation was aimed to determine the hepatoprotective benefits of Swertiamarin (ST) administration against nicotine-induced hepatotoxicity in SD rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 48 adult male SD rats were allocated into six groups using a fully randomised approach. As a control, group I was given oral (PO) normal saline. For 65 days, the animals in groups II, III, IV, V and VI received 2.5mg/kg/day of nicotine intraperitoneally (IP), 100mg/kg/day of ST orally (PO), 200mg/kg/day of ST orally (PO), 2.5mg/kg/day of nicotine (IP)+100mg/kg/day of ST (PO), and 2.5mg/kg/day of nicotine (IP)+200mg/kg/day of ST (PO), respectively. Animals were killed on 66thday, liver tissue was removed and used for histopathological analysis as well as biochemical testing (oxidative stress parameters and liver function enzymes).

RESULTS

When compared to control animals, the animals in group II showed a substantial rise in their aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine levels (P˂0.001). Furthermore, compared to control animals, these animals displayed enhanced hepatic oxidative stress as indicated by significantly higher Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P˂0.001) and lower levels of Catalase (CAT), Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P˂0.001). Further, more histological anomalies were seen in the liver of nicotine-treated rats compared to control rats, including significant vacuolization, poor tissue architecture, the growth of pycnotic nuclei, and dilated sinusoids. Contrary to nicotine-treated rats, the co-administration of ST and nicotine was observed to prevent the abnormalities caused by nicotine (groups V and VI).

CONCLUSION

The results of the current study show that nicotine can seriously harm liver tissue and that swertiamarin can prevent the harmful effects of nicotine on rat liver. Future research is necessary to delve deeply into the mechanisms behind swertiamarin protective impact against nicotine-induced hepatotoxicity.

Silk Fibroin Encapsulated Icariin Nanoparticles Mitigate Bisphenol A-Induced Spermatogenesis Dysfunction

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a prevalent endocrine disruptor found in natural environments. Exposure to BPA has been associated with male infertility. The natural phytochemical icariin (ICA) has demonstrated significant promise for the treatment of male infertility. However, its effectiveness is limited due to its low bioavailability, poor water solubility, and insufficient targeting abilities. Herein, novel nanoparticles are generated from the natural silk fibroin, which are used to load ICA. The efficient drug delivery system (ICA-SNPs) result in significantly focused drug distribution to spermatogonium, enhancing the anti-infertility properties of ICA, and can effectively mitigate spermatogenesis dysfunction induced by BPA, control serum sex hormone levels, and enhance testicular ultrastructure. Additionally, the ICA-SNPs restore spermatogenesis dysfunction primarily via the hormone biosynthesis, spermatogonium meiosis process, and glycerophospholipid metabolism.

Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of corn silk extract in nicotine-administered male mice

Aim

This study is done to investigate the hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of corn silk extract in nicotine-administered male mice.

Background

Nicotine can induce pathophysiological effects in the liver tissue through oxidative stress and damage cells. Corn silk can improve liver function with its antioxidant effects.

Methods

In this experimental study, 30 male NMRI mice (25-30 gr) were divided into 5 groups: controls, sham, nicotine 2.5 mg/kg, nicotine+aqueous extract of corn silk 400 mg/kg, and nicotine+methanolic extract of corn silk 400 mg/kg for 1 month. One day after the last nicotine and extracts consumption, the serum samples were performed for biochemical measurement, and the supernatant of the homogenized liver was administered for antioxidant variables assessment.

Results

There was no significant difference in the body weight of different groups. Liver weight and GSH decreased in the nicotine group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, liver enzymes, and MDA increased in the nicotine group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the expansion of sinusoids, the presence of inflammatory cells, and necrosis of liver cells were observed in the nicotine group compared to the control group. Using aqueous and methanolic extracts of corn silk in mice receiving nicotine led to the improvement of the mentioned variables (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that the use of nicotine can lead to the induction of hepatotoxicity. The use of aqueous and methanolic extracts of corn silk improved them through its antioxidant activity.

Effect of icariin on the H2O2-induced proliferation of mouse airway smooth muscle cells through miR-138-5p regulating SIRT1/AMPK/PGC-1α axis

Icariin exerts antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and is used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. However, the specific modes of action are uncertain. In this study, we investigated whether icariin could modulate the silencing information regulator 2-related enzyme 1 (SIRT1)/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) axis by regulating miR-138-5p during H₂O₂-induced proliferation of mouse airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). Primary BALB/c mouse ASMCs were cultured using the tissue block adherence method and were induced with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂; 200 μmol/L) to establish a bronchial asthma ASMC proliferation model. With the aid of Western Blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in H₂O₂-induced ASMCs, the expression of miR-138-5p, SIRT1, AMPK, PGC-1α, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), collagen I, and collagen III protein and mRNA were investigated. The proliferation rate and activities of superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1), reduced glutathione (GSH), malonaldehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ASMCs were determined. The results suggest Compared with the H₂O₂-induced group, icariin inhibited the miR-138-5p expression; enhanced SIRT1, p-AMPK, and PGC-1α expression; attenuated MDA activity and ROS level; lowered TGF-β1, collagen I, and collagen III expression levels; and decreased the proliferation of ASMCs induced by H₂O₂. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that SIRT1 is a regulatory target of miR-138-5p.The results suggest that Icariin could improve the H₂O₂-induced proliferation of ASMCs. The mechanism may be related to the increase of activation of SIRT1/AMPK/PGC-1α axis by suppressing the expression of miR-138-5p. Thus, SIRT1 is the regulatory target of miR-138-5p.

Icariin: A Promising Natural Product in Biomedicine and Tissue Engineering

Among scaffolds used in tissue engineering, natural biomaterials such as plant-based materials show a crucial role in cellular function due to their biocompatibility and chemical indicators. Because of environmentally friendly behavior and safety, green methods are so important in designing scaffolds. A key bioactive flavonoid of the Epimedium plant, Icariin (ICRN), has a broad range of applications in improving scaffolds as a constant and non-immunogenic material, and in stimulating the cell growth, differentiation of chondrocytes as well as differentiation of embryonic stem cells towards cardiomyocytes. Moreover, fusion of ICRN into the hydrogel scaffolds or chemical crosslinking can enhance the secretion of the collagen matrix and proteoglycan in bone and cartilage tissue engineering. To scrutinize, in various types of cancer cells, ICRN plays a decisive role through increasing cytochrome c secretion, Bax/Bcl2 ratio, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase as well as caspase stimulations. Surprisingly, ICRN can induce apoptosis, reduce viability and inhibit proliferation of cancer cells, and repress tumorigenesis as well as metastasis. Moreover, cancer cells no longer grow by halting the cell cycle at two checkpoints, G0/G1 and G2/M, through the inhibition of NF-κB by ICRN. Besides, improving nephrotoxicity occurring due to cisplatin and inhibiting multidrug resistance are the other applications of this biomaterial.

Deciphering the myth of icariin and synthetic derivatives in improving erectile function from a molecular biology perspective: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Although epimedium herb (EH) has been widely used in ancient Chinese medicine to enhance sexual activity, its pharmacological mechanism is not clear. Modern studies have shown that epimedium herb is rich in icariin (ICA, a flavonoid compound), and 91.2% of icariin is converted to icariside II (ICA II) by hydrolytic enzymes in intestinal bacteria after oral administration. YS-10 is a synthetic derivative of icariside II. The aim of this review was to summarize the contemporary evidence regarding the pharmacokinetics, therapeutic properties, and molecular biological mechanisms of ICA and some ICA derivatives for erectile dysfunction therapy.

Methods

A detailed search was conducted in the PubMed database using keywords and phrases, such as “icariin” AND “erectile dysfunction”, “icariside II” AND “erectile dysfunction”. The publication time is limited to last 20 years. Articles had to be published in peer reviewed journals.

Key Content and Findings

ICA and its some derivatives showed the specific inhibition on phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) and the promotion of testosterone synthesis. In addition, by regulating various reliable evidence of signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, TGFβ1/Smad2, p38/MAPK, Wnt and secretion of various cytokines, ICA and ICA derivatives can activate endogenous stem cells (ESCs) leading to endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell proliferation, nerve regeneration and fibrosis inhibition, repair pathological changes in penile tissue and improve erectile function.

Conclusions

ICA and some of its derivatives could be a potential treatment for restoring spontaneous erections. In addition ICA and his derivatives may also be valuable as a regenerative medicine approach for other diseases, but more clinical and basic researches with high quality and large samples are recommended.

Interplay between male reproductive system dysfunction and the therapeutic effect of flavonoids

Male infertility has affected many families around the world. However, due to the mechanism underlying male reproductive system dysfunction are not completely elucidated, the use of drugs for male reproductive system dysfunction treatment only insignificant higher pregnancy outcomes, low-quality evidence suggests that clinical pregnancy rates may increase. Therefore, the focus in the future will be on developing more viable treatment options to prevent or treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction and achieve the purpose of improving fertility. Interestingly, natural products, as the potential inhibitors for the treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction, have shown a good therapeutic effect. Among many natural products, flavonoids have been extensively investigated for the treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction, such as testicular structural disruption, spermatogenesis disturbance and sperm quality decline. Flavonoids have been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating, anti-apoptotic, anticarcinogenic, anti-allergic and antiviral activities, investigating for the treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction. In this review, we evaluate the therapeutic effects of flavonoids on male reproductive system dysfunction under different cellular scenarios and summarize the therapeutic strategies of flavonoids based on the aforementioned retrospective analysis. In the end, we describe some perspective research areas relevant to the application of flavonoids in the treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction.