Nanoparticles of Antroquinonol-Rich Extract from Solid-State-Cultured Antrodia cinnamomea Improve Reproductive Function in Diabetic Male Rats

Environmental relevant concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics and lead co-exposure triggered cellular cytotoxicity responses and underlying mechanisms in Eisenia fetida

Heavy metal pollution of soils and the widespread use of plastics have caused environmental problems worldwide. Nanoplastics (NPs) contaminants in water and soil environments can adsorb heavy metals, thereby affecting the bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals. In this paper, the effect of co-exposure of polystyrene microspheres with 100 nm particle size and lead acetate (Pb) on the Eisenia fetida coelomocytes was investigated. The environmental concentration of NPs used was 0.01 mg/L and the concentration of Pb ranged from 0.01 to 1 mg/L, and the exposed cells were incubated at 298 k for 24 h. Our study demonstrated that exposure of cells to environmental relevant concentrations of NPs did not significantly affect the cytotoxicity of Pb exposure. It was shown that co-exposure induced cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS, increased to 134.4 %) disrupted the antioxidant system of earthworm body cavity cells, activated superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT), produced reduced glutathione, and inhibited glutathione-dependent enzyme (GST) activity (Reduced to 64 %). Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) is first enhanced against ROS due to the stress of NPs and Pb. When the antioxidant reserves of cells are exhausted, the antioxidant capacity will decrease. The level of malondialdehyde, a biomarker of eventual lipid peroxidation, increased to 231.7 %. At the molecular level, due to co-exposure to NPs and Pb, CAT was loosely structured and the secondary structure is misfolded, which was responsible for exacerbating oxidative damage in E. fetida coelomocytes. The findings of this study have significant implications for the toxicological interaction and future risk assessment of co-contamination of NPs and Pb in the environment.

Ameliorative effects of Anchomanes difformis aqueous extract against oxidative stress in the testes and epididymis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats

Hyperglycemia is a central trait of diabetes mellitus (DM) and is linked to an increase in free radical generation and oxidative stress in the testes, resulting in testicular tissue damage and male infertility. Synthetic medicines are commonly used to manage diabetes; however, they are costly and associated with adverse effects. As a result, the search for a safer and affordable alternative from medicinal plants that contain antioxidants has become imperative to scavenge free radicals caused by hyperglycaemia, thereby alleviating male reproductive dysfunction. Therefore, the present aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of Anchomanes difformis aqueous extract against oxidative stress in the testes and epididymis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. A total of 64 male Wistar rats (eight weeks old) weighing 180 ± 10 mg/kg were divided into seven groups at random. Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and a 10% fructose injection intraperitoneally using 40 mg/kg body weight rats. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, and ferric reducing antioxidant (FRAP) as well as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) values were used to establish the testicular oxidative status. It was found that A. difformis extract significantly (p < 0.05) lowered MDA levels in diabetic rats. Both CAT and SOD activity were significantly (p < 0.05) lower following induction of DM and increased (p < 0.05) after treating with A. difformis. The findings of this study show that A. difformis extract could be a promising source of lead compounds for the development of a therapeutic agent to treat male infertility caused by DM complications.

The potential role of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes-related Alzheimer's disease

Kelch-like ECH associated-protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway is thought to be the key regulatory process defensing oxidative stress in multiple organs. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are both serious global health problems with high prevalence. A growing number of literatures have suggested a possible link between Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway and the pathological changes of T2DM, AD as well as T2DM-related AD. The current review mainly discusses how the damaged Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway leads to dysregulated redox molecular signaling, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD and T2DM-related cognitive dysfunction, as well as some compounds targeting this pathway. The further exploration of the mechanisms of this pathway could provide novel therapeutic strategies to improve cognitive function, through restoration of expression or translocation of Nrf2 and scavenging excessive free radicals.

Hippocampus kuda protein hydrolysate improves male reproductive dysfunction in diabetic rats

The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing. This disease is associated with many complications including male reproductive dysfunctions and infertility. Seahorse ( Hippocampus kuda) is a marine teleost fish well known for its beneficial effects on the reproductive system in traditional Chinese medicine books. Recently, several studies have been shown that the enzymatic hydrolysate of seahorse has multiple pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the seahorse peptide hydrolysate (SH) ameliorative effects on the diabetic-induced male reproductive dysfunction in rat models. The in vivo studies were carried out with three different doses of SH (4, 8, and 20 mg/kg) and the diabetes condition was induced by administrating with streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) and fed a 40% high-fat diet. Seahorse hydrolysate (20 mg/kg) inhibited lipid peroxidation, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and restored seminiferous tubules morphology in testis. Moreover, it improved reproductive dysfunction by increasing the level of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, sperm count, and motility. According to these results, we suggested that SH exhibited amelioration effects on the reproductive dysfunction.

Echinacea purpurea Ethanol Extract Improves Male Reproductive Dysfunction With Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Rats

As lifestyle changes, the prevalence of diabetes increases every year. Diabetes-induced male reproductive dysfunction is predominantly due to increased oxidative stress and then results in sperm damage and infertility. Echinacea purpurea is a traditional medicinal herb and is well-known for its immune-modulatory, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral activities. The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a critical role in innate immune responses leading to nuclear factor (NF)-κB phosphorylation and release of proinflammatory cytokines including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. However, the relation between Echinacea purpurea extract and TLR4 remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects on male reproduction of Echinacea purpurea ethanol extract (EPE) against diabetic rats and whether the anti-inflammatory effects were through the TLR4 pathway. Diabetic male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were induced by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and nicotinamide (230 mg/kg). EPE was tested in three doses (93, 279, and 465 mg/kg p.o. daily) for 4 weeks. Besides, metformin administration (100 mg/kg/day) was treated as a positive control. Results indicated that EPE administration for about 4 weeks improved hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Additionally, EPE increased sperm motility, protected sperm morphology and mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as protein for testosterone synthesis enzyme. In sperm superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione antioxidants were increased, whereas proinflammatory cytokines, such as NO, IL-1β, and TNF-α were decreased. The testis protein content of TLR4 and downstream phospho-NF-κB p65 also were reduced. The EPE might reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines via TLR4 pathways and improve diabetes-induced male infertility.