Promoting effect of licorice extract on spermatogonial proliferation and spermatocytes differentiation of neonatal mice in vitro

Effect of Ultrasonic Pretreatment on the Far-Infrared Drying Process and Quality Characteristics of Licorice

In this paper, the effects of different ultrasonic pretreatment processes on the far-infrared drying characteristics, quality indexes, and microstructure of licorice are evaluated. The results showed that ultrasonic pretreatment, combined with far-infrared drying, significantly reduced the drying time and moisture content of licorice compared with those of the control group. The highest total flavonoid content was obtained at an ultrasound power of 80 W. The total phenolic content (0.686 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) was higher than that in the control group, the increase was 19.4%, and its content was the highest at the sonication frequency of 20 kHz. The antioxidant capacity tended to increase and then decrease with the increase in sonication time, sonication power, and sonication frequency, and was the highest at 30 min of sonication. The soluble sugar content (31.490 mg glucose equivalent/g) was the highest at 30 kHz and 30 min. Observation of the microstructure revealed that the surface structure of the ultrasonic pretreated licorice slices changed significantly, forming more micropore channels, which facilitated the mass heat transfer during the drying process. In conclusion, ultrasonic pretreatment can significantly improve the quality of licorice tablets and significantly reduce the time required for subsequent drying. The combination of pretreatment parameters of 60 W ultrasonic power and 40 kHz ultrasonic frequency for 30 min was found to be an optimal combination of pretreatment parameters; therefore, this study may provide a technical reference for the industrialization of licorice drying.

Phytochemicals: Alternative for Infertility Treatment and Associated Conditions

Infertility and obstetric complications have become global health issues in the past few years. Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive even after twelve months or more of regular and unprotected intercourse. According to WHO data published in the year 2020, 186 million people have infertility globally. Factors leading to infertility are variable in both males and females. But some common factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and stress. Various synthetic drugs and treatment options are available that are effective in treating infertility, but their prolonged usage produces various unwanted adverse effects like hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, and weight gain. In extreme cases, these may also lead to the development of anxiety and depression. Herbal remedies have gained a lot of popularity over the years, and people's inclination toward them has increased all over the world. The prime reason is that these show significant therapeutic efficacy and have fewer side effects. The therapeutic efficacy of plants can be attributed to the presence of diverse phytochemical classes of constituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, and volatile oils. These secondary metabolites, or phytomolecules, can be used to develop herbal formulations. The review highlights the applications and mechanisms of action of various phytochemicals for treating infertility. Also, it focuses on the various future prospects associated with it.

Apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in infertility: A mini review

Infertility has been a major issue in our society for many years, and millions of couples all over the world are still experiencing it. There are several reasons for and causes of infertility in both men and women. Recent studies have shown that apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress contribute immensely to infertility. The data regarding this report were obtained through a thorough review of scientific articles published in various databases, including Elsevier, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Furthermore, PhD and MSc theses were also reviewed when compiling the data. Apoptosis, also known as "programmed cell death," is a natural and harmless process that occurs in human beings. Although it can become harmful if altered, Inflammation, on the other hand, is the body's reaction to detrimental stimuli caused by toxic substances or compounds, while oxidative stress is a phenomenon that results in an imbalance between the generation and aggregation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells against antioxidants. These three factors interchangeably bring about several reproductive disorders in the body, resulting in infertility. This review aims at discussing how apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress play a role in human infertility.

Availability of data and material

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

The modulatory impacts of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract against methotrexate-induced testicular dysfunction and oxidative stress

Glycyrrhiza glabra root (licorice) is a widely used herb for its beneficial effects on health. This study explored the protective effects of licorice extract against oxidative stress and testicular dysfunction caused by methotrexate (MTX). Mice were allocated into (i) negative control group that received saline; (ii) licorice extract group, orally administered with 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) licorice extract for 12 days; (iii) positive MTX-intoxicated group, injected with a single intraperitoneal dose of MTX (20 mg/kg bw) on day 7; and (iv) a protective group that received licorice extract for 12 days and then MTX on day 7 as in groups 2 and 3. Total proteins, albumin, globulins, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, IL-1, and IL-6 were measured in blood and testis samples collected from all groups. Testicular oxidative stress, serum reproductive hormones, and spermogram were examined. The expression of steroidogenesis-associated genes (translocator protein; and P450scc) was examined by quantitative real-time PCR. Bcl-2-associated X protein and cyclogenase-2 genes were examined by immunohistochemical analysis. The bioactive contents of licorice extract were confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Pretreatment with licorice extract ameliorated the toxic effects of MTX on total proteins, albumin, and globulins and oxidative stress biomarkers and reversed the effect of MTX on examined serum and tissue antioxidants. Besides, MTX down-regulated mRNA expression of translocator protein and P450scc genes. Licorice extract averted the decrease in serum testosterone and the increase in IL-1β and IL-6 levels induced by MTX. Moreover, MTX increased sperm abnormalities and percentage of dead sperms and reduced sperm motility. These changes were absent in the licorice preadministered group. Licorice prevented the increase in immunoreactivity of testis for Bcl-2-associated X protein and cyclogenase-2 that were overexpressed in MTX-injected mice. Licorice extracts positively regulated the expression of steroidogenesis genes suppressed by MTX, increased antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and catalase) and reduced biomarker of oxidative stress (testicular malondialdehyde) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and -6). Moreover, reduction in testicular tissue immunoreactivity to Bcl-2-associated X protein and cyclogenase-2. In conclusion, licorice extract mitigated the toxic effects of MTX-induced testicular dysfunction at biochemical, molecular, and cellular levels.

Role of Antioxidant Natural Products in Management of Infertility: A Review of Their Medicinal Potential

Infertility, a couple's inability to conceive after one year of unprotected regular intercourse, is an important issue in the world. The use of natural products in the treatment of infertility has been considered as a possible alternative to conventional therapies. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and the mechanisms of various natural products on infertility. We collected articles regarding infertility and natural products using the research databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Several natural products possess antioxidant properties and androgenic activities on productive factors and hormones. Antioxidants are the first defense barrier against free radicals produced by oxidative stress (OS). They remove reactive oxygen stress (ROS), reducing insulin resistance, total cholesterol, fat accumulation, and cancer growth. Moreover, various natural products increase endometrial receptivity and fertility ability showing androgenic activities on productive factors and hormones. For example, Angelica keiskei powder and Astragalus mongholicus extract showed anti-infertility efficacies in males and females, respectively. On the other hand, adverse effects and acute toxicity of natural products were also reported. Tripterygium glycoside decreased fertility ability both in males and females. Results indicate that management of infertility with natural products could be beneficial with further clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effect.

Plants in the management of male infertility

This review attempts to collate existing data and provide the perspectives for future studies on the effects of plants on the male gonads. For many of these medicinal plants such as Lepidium meyenii, Rupus coreanus, Tribulus terrestres, Panax ginseng, Petasites japonicas, Apium graveolens, Eurycoma longifólia, Pedalium murex, Corchorus depressus, Mucuna pruriens, Astragalus membranaceus, Nigella sativa, Crataegus monogyna, Fagara tessmannii, Phaleria macrocarpa, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Cynomorium songaricum and Morinda officinalis, the mechanism of actions of their active principles and crude extracts has been shown in both laboratory animals, in vitro, and human studies, and includes their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, spermatogenesis-inducing, aphrodisiac, smooth muscle relaxing and androgenic properties. Several active chemical leads including glucosinolates, anthocyanins, protodioscin, ginsenosides, sesquiterpenes, phyto-oestrogens, quassinoids, diosgenin, thymoquinone, proanthocyanidins and bajijiasu isolated from these plants are known to have target effects on the testis, but efforts have been limited in their application at the clinical level. There still appear to be many more extracts of medicinal plants that have not been characterised to determine the phytochemicals unique to them that have target effects on the gonads. Further, collaborative efforts at isolating pro-drug candidates from medicinal plants for studies at the molecular, cellular and clinical level towards elucidating their mechanisms of action on the testes are therefore warranted in the light of the current male fertility crisis.