Combination of Korean Red Ginseng Extract and Hydrogen-Rich Water Improves Spermatogenesis and Sperm Motility in Male Mice

A Dietary Supplement Jinghuosu Ameliorates Reproductive Damage Induced by Tripterygium Glycosides

OBJECTIVE

To determine the possible protective effects of Jinghuosu, a dietary supplement (DS), on tripterygium glycosides (TG)-induced reproductive system injury in rats and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

A reproductive damage model was established in rats by feeding of TGs. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table (n=7 in each): control (C) group, model (M) group, DS group and L-carnitine (LC) group. Rats in M, DS and LC groups received 40 mg/kg TGs orally. Starting from the 5th week, after administration of TGs for 4 h every day, rats in DS and LC groups were administered with 2.7 g/kg DS and 0.21 g/kg LC, respectively, for protective treatment over the next 4 weeks. Rats in Group C continued to receive the control treatment. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for histopathological analysis of rat testicular tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Chemiluminescence assay was used to determine the serum testosterone content. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were conducted to analyze the expression of genes and proteins related to the testosterone synthesis pathway and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 antioxidant pathway.

RESULTS

Oral administration of TGs induced significant increases in the testicular levels of zinc transporter 1 and MDA (P<0.05). On the other hand, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and serum testosterone, serum zinc, testicular zinc, Zrt-, Irt-like protein 1, ALP, luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, Cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1, 3 β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 T-AOC, GSH-Px, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1 and NAD (P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 levels decreased following TGs exposure (P<0.05). All of these phenotypes were evidently reversed by DS (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

DS Jinghuosu protects against TG-induced reproductive system injury in rats, probably by improving zinc homeostasis, enhancing the testosterone synthesis and attenuating oxidative stress.

The role of red ginseng in men's reproductive health: a literature review

BACKGROUND

Red ginseng (RG) is a traditional herb commonly used in China, Korea, and other East Asian countries. Recently, it has demonstrated a better clinical value in men's reproductive health (MRH). The present review aimed to examine the effects of RG treatment on MRH.

RESULTS

Overall, 42 articles related to RG application in MRH were reviewed, of which 31 were animal experiments and 11 were clinical studies. Furthermore, this review analyzed the use of RG in some male reproductive diseases in clinical trials and determined the associated mechanisms of action. The mechanism of action of RG in MRH may be related to oxidative stress, regulation of sex hormones and spermatogenesis-related proteins, and anti-inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of RG for the treatment of male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and prostate diseases has the potential to contribute to MRH.

Hydrogen-rich water treatment targets RT1-Db1 and RT1-Bb to alleviate premature ovarian failure in rats

Background

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is defined as the cessation of ovarian function before the age of 40 years, imposing a significant health burden on patients. However, effective etiological therapy for POF is scarce. Thus, we aimed to explore the protective role and targets of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) in POF.

Methods

Based on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced POF rat models, the protective role of HRW treatment was mainly determined through serum 17-β-estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, ovarian histomorphological analysis, and TUNEL assay. Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomic analysis was then conducted on ovarian tissues, and the targets of HRW in POF were identified integrating differential expression analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and interaction analysis.

Results

In HRW treatment of POF rats, the serum AMH and E2 levels significantly increased, and FSH level significantly reduced, indicating the protective role of HRW. After TMT quantitative proteomic analysis, a total of 16 candidate differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified after the cross analysis of DEPs from POF vs. control and POF+HRW vs. POF groups, which were found to be significantly enriched in 296 GO terms and 36 KEGG pathways. The crucial targets, RT1-Db1 and RT1-Bb, were finally identified based on both protein-protein interaction network and GeneMANIA network.

Conclusions

The HRW treatment could significantly alleviate the ovarian injury of POF rats; RT1-Db1 and RT1-Bb are identified as two crucial targets of HRW treatment in POF rats.

A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies of the Efficacy of Herbal Medicines for Anti-Aging in the Last Five Years

Background: The world’s population is rapidly aging, and attention to and research on the increase in life expectancy and age-related diseases are needed. This study aimed to review the in vivo studies on the anti-aging effects of herbal medicines. Methods: In vivo studies of single or complex herbal medicines for anti-aging that were published in the last five years were included in this review. The following databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and EMBASE. Results: A total of 41 studies were considered eligible for the review. The articles were classified into body organs and functions, experimental country, herbal medicine, extraction method, administration route, dosage, duration, animal model, aging-induced method, sex, number of animals per group, and outcomes and mechanisms A single herbal extract was used in a total of 21 studies including Alpinia oxyphylla Miq., Acanthopanax senticosus and Lyceum barbarum, and a multi-compound herbal prescription was used in a total of 20 studies, including Modified Qiongyu paste, Wuzi Yanzong recipe, etc. Each herbal medicine had anti-aging effects on learning and memory, cognition, emotion, internal organs, gastrointestinal tracts, sexual functions, musculoskeletal function and so on. The common mechanisms of action were antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and various effects and mechanisms for each organ and function were identified. Conclusions: Herbal medicine exhibited beneficial effects on anti-aging in various parts of the body and its function. Further investigation of the appropriate herbal medicine prescriptions and their components is recommended.

Paternal aging impacts mitochondrial DNA content and telomere length in mouse embryos

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and telomere length (TL) in blastocysts derived from the same male mice at young (10-19-week-old) and aged (40-49-week-old) time points and mtDNA and TL in the hearts of offspring derived from young and aged male mice were examined. Paternal aging correlated with reduced mtDNA and TL in blastocysts. mtDNA and TL were significantly correlated, which was also observed in bovine blastocysts. Moreover, mtDNA in the heart of offspring was reduced in male mice with paternal aging. In conclusion, paternal aging affects embryonic mtDNA and TL, potentially impacting their offspring.

Bioinformatics analysis identifies potential hub genes and crucial pathways in the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia

BACKGROUND

Asthenozoospermia is a troublesome disease experienced by men in their reproductive years, but its exact etiology remains unclear. To address this problem, this study aims to identify the hub genes and crucial pathways in asthenozoospermia.

METHODS

We screened two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE92578 and GSE22331) to extract the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men using the "Limma" package. Gene enrichment analyses of the DEGs were conducted using the "clusterProfiler" R package. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then established using the STRING database. A miRNA-transcription factor-gene network was constructed based on the predicted results of hub genes using the RegNetwork database. The expression of four hub genes in asthenozoospermia and normal samples were verified using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting.

RESULTS

We identified 271 DEGs, which included 218 upregulated and 53 downregulated in two asthenozoospermia datasets. These DEGs were observed to be markedly enriched in pathways with cell growth and embryonic organ development, phospholipase D signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. The most significant genes were identified, including COPS7A, CUL3, KLHL7, NEDD4. We then constructed regulatory networks of these genes, miRNAs, and transcription factors. Finally, we found that the COPS7A was significantly upregulated in patients with asthenozoospermia, but CUL3, KLHL7 and NEDD4 were significantly downregulated compared with normal samples.

CONCLUSION

We applied bioinformatics methods to analyze the DEGs of asthenozoospermia based on the GEO database and identified the novel crucial genes and pathways in this disease. Our findings may provide novel insights into asthenozoospermia and identify new clues for the potential treatment of this disease.

Molecular Hydrogen Reduces Electromagnetic Pulse-Induced Male Rat Reproductive System Damage in a Rodent Model

Infertility has got to be a broadly concerned social issue these days, in which the malefactor cannot be overlooked. Numerous studies have shown that electromagnetic pulse (EMP) radiation may have seriously damaging effects on reproductive health, through nonthermal effects and oxidative stress. Molecular hydrogen, a selective hydroxyl radical scavenger, explains the protective effects against many diseases closely associated with oxidative damage, such as ionizing radiation (IR). We sought to characterize the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen on the male reproductive system in a rodent EMP exposure model. The 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to EMP (peak intensity 1000 kV/m, pulse edge 20 ns, pulse width 200 ns, 1 Hz, and 200 pulses), with or without hydrogen-rich water. The pathological structure of the testis, the rate of apoptosis of the testis, the serum testosterone level, the sperm parameters, and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes of the testis were measured. Then, transcriptomic and untargeted metabolomic analyses were applied to uncover the underlying mechanism. Exposure to EMP increased testicular apoptosis rate and apoptosis protein level, decreased sperm viability and motility, decreased serum testosterone levels, and diminished testicular antioxidant capacity. Molecular hydrogen-alleviated damage decreased the testicular apoptosis rate and apoptosis protein level, increased sperm motility, increased serum testosterone levels, and improved antioxidative capacity. Omics results showed that molecular hydrogen has a strong influence on metabolic pathways, and EMP affects mainly oxidative phosphorylation, TNF signaling pathways, and cytokine-receptor interactions. The mechanism of molecular hydrogen's effect may be related to the reversal of some metabolite levels. These observations warrant molecular hydrogen as an innovative approach for potential protection against EMP.

Hydrogen-Rich Water Alleviates the Nickel-Induced Toxic Responses (Inflammatory Responses, Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage) and Ameliorates Cocoon Production in Earthworm

In recent years, studies investigating the protective effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) against different diseases and the toxicity of some substances have attracted increasing attention. Here, we assessed the effects of hydrogen-rich water on different nickel-induced toxic responses (reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) of stress responses, histopathological changes) and cocoon production in earthworm model. Earthworms were randomly divided into two main groups: water (W) group including control (CW: ultrapure water), 10 (10W), 200 (200W), and 500 (500W), and hydrogen-rich ultrapure water (HRW) group including control (CHRW: hydrogen-rich ultrapure water), 10 (10HRW), 200 (200HRW), and 500 (500HRW) mg of nickel chloride kg-1 soil for 14 days. We found that cocoon production was less affected by the nickel exposure of earthworms in the 500HRW group compared to the 500W group. The ROS levels in 200HRW and 500HRW groups were less than that of 200W and 500W, respectively. The epithelial degeneration, epithelial necrosis, and necrosis in muscle fibers in tissues of earthworm were less damaged in 200HRW and 500HRW groups compared to 200W and 500W, respectively. HRW groups significantly reduced the expression of 8-OHdG induced by nickel exposure and inflammatory cytokine response including TNF-α. The study showed that hydrogen-rich water could alleviate the toxic effects of nickel-induced oxidative and inflammatory damages in earthworms. The HRW treatment known for its cheap and eco-friendly propertıes without any negative effects on the ecosystem can be used as a green method for alleviating the toxification effects of heavy metals in contaminated soil and increasing cocoon production of earthworms.

Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: Role of Herbal Drugs

Infertility is a universal health problem affecting 15% of couples, out of which 20-30% cases are due to male infertility. The leading causes of male infertility include hormonal defects, physical reasons, sexual problems, hazardous environment, stressful lifestyle, genetic factors, epigenetic factors, and oxidative stress. Various physiological functions involve reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species at appropriate levels for proper smooth functioning. ROS control critical reproductive processes such as capacitation, acrosomal reaction, hyperactivation, egg penetration, and sperm head decondensation. The excessive free radicals or imbalance between ROS and endogenous antioxidant enzymes damages sperm membrane by inducing lipid peroxidation causing mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage that eventually lead to male infertility. Numerous synthetic products are available in the market to treat infertility problems, largely ending in side effects and repressing symptoms. Ayurveda contains a particular group of Rasayana herbs, called vajikarana, that deals with nourishment and stimulation of sexual tissues, improves male reproductive vitality, and deals with oxidative stress via antioxidant mechanism. The present study aims to describe oxidative stress and the role of herbal drugs in treating male infertility.

Development of Alkaline Reduced Water Using High-Temperature-Roasted Mineral Salt and Its Antioxidative Effect in RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophage Cell Line

Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in many diseases, and its excessive increase affects human health. Although the antioxidant effect of sea salt can be strengthened through special processing, it is scarcely studied. This study confirmed the antioxidative effect of high-temperature roasted mineral salt (HtRMS) produced through repeated roasting of sea salt at high temperature in a ceramic vessel. The dissolved HtRMS exhibited properties such as high alkalinity, rich mineral content, and a high concentration of hydrogen (H2). To detect the antioxidative effect of HtRMS, OS was induced in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and then treated with HtRMS solution at different concentrations (0.1, 1, and 10%). Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Ca2+, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway-related proteins (p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK) were measured. OS was significantly induced by treatment with H2O2 and LPS (p < 0.001). After treatment with HtRMS, cell viability and GPx activities significantly increased and ROS, NO, Ca2+, and CAT significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner compared to H2O2 and LPS-only groups, which was not observed in tap water (TW)-treated groups. Similarly, p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK levels significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in HtRMS groups compared to both H2O2 and LPS-only groups; however, those in TW groups did not exhibit significant differences compared to H2O2 and LPS-only groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that HtRMS may have antioxidant potential by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Hydrogen Gas: A Novel Type of Antioxidant in Modulating Sexual Organs Homeostasis

Sex is a science of cutting edge but bathed in mystery. Coitus or sexual intercourse, which is at the core of sexual activities, requires healthy and functioning vessels to supply the pelvic region, thus contributing to clitoris erection and vaginal lubrication in female and penile erection in male. It is well known that nitric oxide (NO) is the main gas mediator of penile and clitoris erection. In addition, the lightest and diffusible gas molecule hydrogen (H2) has been shown to improve erectile dysfunction (ED), testis injuries, sperm motility in male, preserve ovarian function, protect against uterine inflammation, preeclampsia, and breast cancer in female. Mechanistically, H2 has strong abilities to attenuate excessive oxidative stress by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals, modulate immunity and inflammation, and inhibit injuries-induced cell death. Therefore, H2 is a novel bioactive gas molecule involved in modulating sexual organs homeostasis.

Hydrogen: A Novel Option in Human Disease Treatment

H₂ has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ability in many clinical trials, and its application is recommended in the latest Chinese novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) treatment guidelines. Clinical experiments have revealed the surprising finding that H₂ gas may protect the lungs and extrapulmonary organs from pathological stimuli in NCP patients. The potential mechanisms underlying the action of H₂ gas are not clear. H₂ gas may regulate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, mitochondrial energy metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum stress, the immune system, and cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and circadian clock, among others) and has therapeutic potential for many systemic diseases. This paper reviews the basic research and the latest clinical applications of H₂ gas in multiorgan system diseases to establish strategies for the clinical treatment for various diseases.