Protective effects of ginseng stem-leaf saponins on D-galactose-induced reproductive injury in male mice

An Aloe-Based Composition Constituting Polysaccharides and Polyphenols Protected Mice against D-Galactose-Induced Immunosenescence

A decline in immune response, exhibited in the form of immunosenescence and inflammaging, is an age-associated disturbance of the immune system known to predispose the elderly to a greater susceptibility to infection and poor vaccine response. Polysaccharides and polyphenols from botanicals are known for their immune modulation effects. Here we evaluated a standardized mushroom-based composition, UP360, from Aloe barbadensis, Poria cocos, and Rosmarinus officinalis, as a natural nutritional supplement for a balanced immune response in an accelerated aging mouse model. Immunosenescence was induced by continual subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (D-gal) at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day to CD-1 mice. UP360 was administered at oral doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg to the mice starting on the 5th week of D-gal injection. The study lasted for a total of 9 weeks. All mice were given a quadrivalent influenza vaccine at 3 µg/animal via intramuscular injection 14 days before the end of the study. A group of D-gal-treated mice treated at 400 mg/kg/day UP360 was kept without vaccination. Whole blood, serum, spleen homogenate, and thymus tissues were used for analysis. UP360 was found to improve the immune response as evidenced by stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, increase antioxidant capacity as reflected by augmented SOD and Nrf2, and preserve vital immune organs, such as the thymus, from aging-associated damage. The findings depicted in this report show the effect of the composition in activating and maintaining homeostasis of the immune system both during active infections and as a preventive measure to help prime the immune system. These data warrant further clinical study to explore the potential application of the mushroom-based composition as an adjunct nutritional supplement for a balanced immune response.

A narrative review on inflammaging and late-onset hypogonadism

The increasing life expectancy observed in recent years has resulted in a higher prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in older men. LOH is characterized by the decline in testosterone levels and can have significant impacts on physical and mental health. While the underlying causes of LOH are not fully understood, there is a growing interest in exploring the role of inflammaging in its development. Inflammaging is a concept that describes the chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation that occurs as a result of aging. This inflammatory state has been implicated in the development of various age-related diseases. Several cellular and molecular mechanisms have been identified as contributors to inflammaging, including immune senescence, cellular senescence, autophagy defects, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Despite the extensive research on inflammaging, its relationship with LOH has not yet been thoroughly reviewed in the literature. To address this gap, we aim to review the latest findings related to inflammaging and its impact on the development of LOH. Additionally, we will explore interventions that target inflammaging as potential treatments for LOH.

Testosterone propionate and Swarna Bhasma treatment modulated D-galactose induced reproductive alterations in male Wistar rats: An experimental study

Background

The male reproductive system undergoes several adverse age-related changes like decreased hormone synthesis, sperm count, and testicular alteration that can impact on fertility.

Objective

The study aims to investigate the effects of testosterone propionate (TP), and ayurvedic formulation Swarna Bhasma (SB) on D-galactose (D-gal) induced reproductive aging in male Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods

60 male Wistar rats were divided into 10 groups of 6 animals. Reproductive aging was induced by D-gal (150 mg/kg Bwt) exposure for 60 days. The rats were then treated by post and combination treatment with TP (2 mg/kg Bwt) and SB (6.75 mg/kg Bwt). Then sperm parameters, reproductive hormones, inflammatory markers, testicular antioxidant enzymes, steroidogenic enzymes, and histological manifestation of testis were evaluated.

Results

Exposure of D-gal caused significant (p < 0.001) decrease in serum testosterone (T), testicular steroidogenic, and antioxidant enzymes. Administration of TP increased the serum T level, testicular antioxidant enzymes, and spermatogenic profile at a significant level of (p < 0.001) compared to D-gal. Further, the SB treatment significantly (p < 0.001) elevated the serum T level, sperm count, testicular antioxidant enzymes, steroidogenic enzymes, when compared to D-gal.

Conclusion

Both the treatment of TP and SB treatments recovered the reproductive impairments caused by D-gal. However, exogenous T supplementation via TP administration is associated with various side effects during long-term use. SB is an Ayurvedic formulation having a long history of usage in India. The current findings suggest that the SB may be used as a good alternative for potentiating reproductive function in aging males.

Hydrogen sulfide protects Sertoli cells against toxicant Acrolein-induced cell injury

Acrolein (ACR), a highly toxic α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, is considered to be a common mediator behind the reproductive injury induced by various factors. However, the understanding of its reproductive toxicity and prevention in reproductive system is limited. Given that Sertoli cells provide the first-line defense against various toxicants and that dysfunction of Sertoli cell causes impaired spermatogenesis, we, therefore, examined ACR cytotoxicity in Sertoli cells and tested whether hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a gaseous mediator with potent antioxidative actions, could have a protective effect. Exposure of Sertoli cells to ACR led to cell injury, as indicated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, protein oxidation, P38 activation and ultimately cell death that was prevented by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Further studies revealed that ACR cytotoxicity on Sertoli cells was significantly exacerbated by the inhibition of H₂S-synthesizing enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), while significantly suppressed by H₂S donor Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS). It was also attenuated by Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), an active ingredient of Danshen that stimulated H₂S production in Sertoli cells. Apart from Sertoli cells, H₂S also protected the cultured germ cells from ACR-initiated cell death. Collectively, our study characterized H₂S as endogenous defensive mechanism against ACR in Sertoli cells and germ cells. This property of H₂S could be used to prevent and treat ACR-related reproductive injury.

Zygo-Albuside A: New Saponin from Zygophyllum album L. with Significant Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antiapoptotic Effects against Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Damage

Chemical investigation of the crude extract of the aerial part of Zygophyllum album L. (Z. album) led to the isolation of a new saponin, Zygo-albuside A (7), together with seven known compounds, one of them (caffeic acid, compound 4) is reported in the genus for the first time. NMR (1D and 2D) and mass spectrometric analysis, including high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), were utilized to set up the chemical structures of these compounds. The present biological study aimed to investigate the protective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities of the crude extract from the aerial part of Z. album and two of its isolated compounds, rutin and the new saponin zygo-albuside A, against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular injury, considering the role of miRNA-29a. In all groups except for the normal control group, which received a mixture of distilled water and DMSO (2:1) as vehicle orally every day for ten days, testicular damage was induced on the fifth day by intraperitoneal administration of MTX at a single dose of 20 mg/kg. Histopathological examination showed that pre-treatment with the crude extract of Z. album, zygo-albuside A, or rutin reversed the testicular damage induced by MTX. In addition, biochemical analysis in the protected groups showed a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β, Bcl-2-associated-protein (Bax), and an increase in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the testis, along with an increase in serum testosterone levels compared with the unprotected (positive control) group. The mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), p53, and miRNA-29a were downregulated in the testicular tissues of the protected groups compared with the unprotected group. In conclusion, the study provides sufficient evidence that Z. album extract, and its isolated compounds, zygo-albuside A and rutin, could alleviate testicular damage caused by the chemotherapeutic agent MTX.

Fertility Rate and Assessment of the Cytoprotective Capacity of Various Types of Holothuroidea Extracts on Spermatozoa

For years, compounds of natural origin have been the subject of extensive biomedical research due to very interesting, new ingredients potentially useful for various pharmaceutical, medical and industrial applications. The therapeutic properties and healing benefits of sea cucumbers may result from the presence of numerous, biologically active ingredients. Sperm subjected to processing and subsequent storage at low temperatures experience a number of damage, including the loss of the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane, DNA and acrosome defragmentation. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the cytoprotective potential of sea cucumber extract against cryopreserved sperm and semen fertility rate. Commercially available sea cucumber extract was taken from the cellulose shell, then 790 mg of powder was weighed out and placed in 3 glass tubes containing, respectively: 10 mL of water-glycerin solution (WG), water-ethanol (EC), glycerin-ethanol (GE), glycerin-DMSO (DG). Tubes were mixed with vortex for 3 min, then placed in a water bath and incubated for 16 h at 40 °C. Six simmental bulls, 3 years old, of known health status were used for the experiment. Semen was collected from each male once a week (for 18 weeks) using an artificial vagina. After an initial assessment of semen quality, the ejaculates were pooled to eliminate individual differences between males, then diluted to a final concentration of 80 × 10⁶ sperm/mL with a commercial extender (Optixcell, IMV, L’Aigle, France) and divided into 16 equal samples. Control (C) without additive, the test samples contained 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 µL WG, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 µL WE, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 µL GE, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 µL DG. Semen was frozen/thawed and assessed for motility, viability, DNA defragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential and acrosome integrity. It was shown a positive effect of water-glycerin (WG) and glycerine-ethanol (GE) extracts on the efficiency of sperm preservation at low temperatures. Established that, depending on the type of prepared extract, the sea cucumber can have both cytoprotective (WG, GE, WE) and cytotoxic (DG) effects. Moreover, too high concentrations of the extract can adversely affect the sperm in terms of parameters such as viability, motility, mitochondrial potential, and the integrity of the acrosome or DNA of cells. The present study, thanks to the use of model animals to study the cytoprotective potential of the sea cucumber extract, proves that it can be a potential candidate for use in semen cryopreservation technology to improve the efficiency of storage at low temperatures. Further research is needed to optimize the composition of individual types of extracts and their effect on sperm. The highest effectiveness of female fertilization was observed when doses from GE groups (2 and 4) were used for insemination. The results of this analysis prove that the addition of the tested extract may improve the fertilization efficiency.

Panax ginseng and aging related disorders: A systematic review

The aging process predisposes numerous homeostatic disorders, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Changes in diet and lifestyle and therapeutic adjuvants are essential to minimize the effects of comorbidities associated with aging. Natural products such as Panax ginseng have been used to treat and prevent diseases related to aging. This review aims to investigate the effects of Panax ginseng in various conditions associated with aging, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The ginsenosides, chemical constituents found in Panax ginseng, can inhibit the effects of inflammatory cytokines, inhibit signaling pathways that induce inflammation, and inhibit cells that participate in inflammatory processes. Besides, ginsenosides are involved in neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system due to anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The use of ginseng extract showed actions on lipid homeostasis, positively regulating high-density lipoprotein, down-regulating low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels, and producing beneficial effects on vascular endothelial function. The use of this plant in cancer resulted in improved quality of life and mood. It decreased symptoms of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and dyspnea, reducing anxiety. Panax ginseng has been shown to exert potent therapeutic benefits that can act as a complementary treatment in managing patients with chronic diseases related to aging.