Protective role of eugenol against diabetes-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis in rat testes

Eugenol Nanoparticles Ameliorate Doxorubicin-Induced Spermatogenic Dysfunction by Inhibiting the PINK1/Parkin and BNIP3/NIX Signaling Pathways

Purpose

Doxorubicin (DOX) precipitates cell apoptosis in testicular tissues, and it is imperative to develop drugs to alleviate the spermatogenic disorders it causes. Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb is often used to treat male sexual disorders. Eugenol, a major component of Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb. has inadequate stability and low solubility, which limits its pharmacological effects. Eugenol nanoparticles (NPs) (ENPs) are expected to overcome these limitations. The protective effects of ENPs against DOX-induced reproductive toxicity were studied in mice.

Methods

Eugenol was encapsulated in Methoxy-Poly(ethylene glycol)-Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (mPEG-PLGA-NPs), and their role in ameliorating spermatogenic dysfunction was verified in vivo and in vitro.

Results

We present a promising delivery system that encapsulates eugenol into mPEG-PLGA-NPs and forms them into nanocomposites. In vitro, ENPs significantly reduced doxorubicin-induced ROS and inflammatory factors in GC-1 cells and regulated the expression of the mitochondrial autophagy protein PINK1 and meiosis-related protein SCP3. In vivo, ENPs significantly increased sperm motility in mice, reduced apoptosis and oxidative stress in the testes, inhibited the testicular PINK1/Parkin and BNIP3/NIX signaling pathways, and enhanced the expression of factors associated with meiosis.

Conclusion

Given their safety and efficacy, these ENPs have potential application prospects in mitigating doxorubicin-induced spermatogenic dysfunction.

Combination treatment of zinc and selenium intervention ameliorated BPA-exposed germ cell damage in SD rats: elucidation of molecular mechanisms

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly used environmental toxicant, is easily exposed to the human body and causes testicular damage, sperm abnormalities, DNA damage and apoptosis, and interferes in the process spermatogenesis and steroidal hormone production along with obstruction in testes and epididymis development. Zinc (Zn), a potent regulator of antioxidant balance, is responsible for cellular homeostasis, enzymes and proteins activities during spermatogenesis for cell defence mechanisms in the testes. Selenium (Se) is required for spermatogenesis, antioxidant action and in the activities of different selenoproteins. Both Zn and Se are essential simultaneously for the proper regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation as well as protection against chemical and disease-associated germ cell toxicity. Thus, the study aimed to understand the importance and beneficial effect of Zn and Se co-treatment against BPA-exposed testicular damage in rats. BPA 100 and 200 mg/kg/day was exposed through an oral gavage. Zn (3 mg/kg/day) i.p. and Se (0.5 mg/kg/day) i.p. were injected for 8 weeks. The testicular toxicity was evaluated by measuring body and organs weight, biochemical investigations, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal histopathology, quantification DNA damage by halo assay, DNA breaks (TUNEL assay), immunohistochemistry and western blot. Results revealed that Zn and Se co-treatment ameliorated BPA-associated male gonadal toxicity in rat as revealed by decreased SGPT, SGOT and BUN levels in serum, reduced testes and epididymis tissue injury, DNA breaks, apoptosis, expressions of 8-OHdG, γ-H2AX and NFκB with an increased serum testosterone and catalase levels. These findings suggest that Zn and Se co-treatment could be a beneficial and protective option against BPA-exposed testicular and epididymal toxicity.

Therapeutic Potential of 4-Hexylresorcinol in Preserving Testicular Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

It is known that many diabetic patients experience testicular atrophy. This study sought to investigate the effect of 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR) on testicular function in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, focusing on testicular weight, sperm motility, histological alterations, and serum testosterone levels to understand the efficacy of 4HR on testes. Our findings reveal that 4HR treatment significantly improves testicular health in diabetic rats. Notably, the STZ group exhibited a testicular weight of 1.22 ± 0.48 g, whereas the STZ/4HR group showed a significantly enhanced weight of 1.91 ± 0.26 g (p < 0.001), aligning closely with the control group's weight of 1.99 ± 0.17 g and the 4HR group's weight of 2.05 ± 0.24 g, indicating no significant difference between control and 4HR groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the STZ/4HR group demonstrated significantly improved sperm motility compared to the STZ group, with apoptotic indicators notably reduced in the STZ/4HR group relative to the STZ group (p < 0.05). These results underscore the therapeutic potential of 4HR for maintaining testicular function under diabetic conditions.