Crocin attenuates cyclophosphamide induced testicular toxicity by preserving glutathione redox system

Protective effect of Huangqi-Guizhi-Wuwutang against cyclophosphamide-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction in mice by promoting steroid hormone biosynthesis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The primary adverse effect of cyclophosphamide (CTX) chemotherapy to cancer in male patients of reproductive age is a significant impairment of reproductive function. Huangqi-Guizhi-Wuwutang (HGW), a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula, is designed to exert a salutary effect on qi and promote blood circulation, thereby eliminating blood stasis and promoting spermatogenesis, and it has been recorded as a treatment for oligospermia. However, its potential in mitigating the adverse impact of CTX on male spermatogenesis remains unexplored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present investigation aims to elucidate the potential protective effects and underlying mechanisms of HGW against CTX - induced spermatogenic dysfunction in mice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

C57BL/6J mice that received intraperitoneal injections of CTX were employed to induce dysfunction in spermatogenesis. Pharmacological experimentation was conducted to evaluate the potential effect of HGW in mitigating spermatogenic toxicity induced by CTX. Additionally, mRNA sequencing was utilized to identify genes exhibiting differential expression between the untreated and HGW treated groups, thereby elucidating the comprehensive underlying mechanisms involved. The most significantly enriched potential pathways were identified and subsequently validated in vivo.

RESULTS

The administration of HGW significantly increased the testicular index, epididymal index, sperm concentration and sperm motility in mice with spermatogenesis dysfunction. Furthermore, HGW effectively ameliorated the observed tissue damage in pathological sections of the testes, elevated serum levels of inhibin B (INH-B) and testosterone (T), while reduced levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) compared to the Model group. An analysis on the genes associated with HGW treatment for CTX-induced oligospermia revealed a significantly enhanced functional enrichment in steroid hormone biosynthesis signaling pathways. Experimental results demonstrated that HGW significantly enhanced cellular activity and T levels in TM3 cell injury model using phosphoramide mustard (PM, the active ingredient of CTX invivo) and upregulates protein expression of key enzymes involved in hormonal steroid synthesis within testicular tissues, including 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1 (CYP17A1) and sytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1).

CONCLUSION

Our data has demonstrated the effectiveness of HGW in improving CTX-induced spermatogenic dysfunction by enhancing hormonal steroid synthesis in a model system, indicating the potential chemoprotective effects of HGW against CTX-induced spermatotoxicity.

Counteractive effects of extracts of Mangifera indica on testes of Wistar Rat exposed to cyclophosphamide

Introduction

Infertility may have a variety of causes that can affect both the male and female reproductive systems. Cyclophosphamide is a drug used in chemotherapy and immune system suppression. Leaf extracts of Mangifera indica exhibit a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties which have been shown in studies, including antioxidant and protective advantages. This study evaluate the antagonistic implications of leaf extracts of Mangifera indica on the testis following the exposure to cyclophosphamide.

Methods

25 male Wistar rats were assigned to five groups with five rats in each. Group A (Control), Group B (administered 150 mg of cyclophosphamide only), Group C (administered 50 mg of extracts of leaf extracts of Mangifera indica only), Group D (administered 150 mg of cyclophosphamide and 50 mg of leaf extracts of Mangifera indica) and Group E (administered 150 mg of cyclophosphamide and 100 mg of leaf extracts of Mangifera indica) for two weeks. The rats were euthanized under the anesthetic of ketamine (30 mg/kg IP). Blood was taken by cardiac puncture for biochemical examination. Testes were excised, preserved in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin for histological investigation. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine the data, and then the Student Newman-Keul post-hoc analysis was performed. The significance of the result was assessed using p < 0.05.

Results

The study showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the hormonal assay, including LH, FSH, and testosterone across all test groups, with group B (cyclophosphamide only) having significantly lower levels. Cyclophosphamide administration was observed to have a negative effect on the testicular histology and immunohistochemical results and leaf extracts of Mangifera indica attenuated the damage induced by cyclophosphamide in groups D and E.

Conclusion

Leaf Extracts of Mangifera indica considerably reduced the effects of cyclophosphamide-induced changes in testis.

1H NMR-based urinary metabolic analysis of high-dose cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in mice

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is widely used in clinical fields. Beside its therapeutic effects, CP shows toxicity depending on dose and administration schedule. In this study, the urinary metabolic profiles were investigated in mice intraperitoneally injected with high-dose CP (150 mg/kg body weight) once a week over four weeks using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics. Twenty-six metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers by multivariate statistical analysis. A decrease in isoleucine, alanine, N-acetylglutamic acid, proline, methionine, valine, phenylacetylglulamine, dimethylamine, hippurate, acetic acid, lactate, α-oxoglutarate, citrate, malonic acid, creatinine, niacin, β-hydroxybutyrate, and betaine, whereas an increase in leucine, glutamate, glycine, taurine, phenylacetylglycine, glucose, creatine, and choline were observed in the urine of high-dose CP-treated mice. Metabolites related to amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and gut microbial metabolism were changed markedly in the urine. Further metabolic pathway analysis suggested that seven metabolic pathways, including alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, glyoxylate, and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, d-glutamine and d-glutamate metabolism, arginine, and proline metabolism, citrate cycle, as well as the gut microbiota metabolism, were significantly involved in response to high-dose CP treatment. These findings help to predict the toxicity of CP and understand the biological mechanism of the toxicity of CP.

Protective Effects of Antioxidants on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Ovarian Toxicity

The most common limitation of anticancer chemotherapy is the injury to normal cells. Cyclophosphamide, which is one of the most widely used alkylating agents, can cause premature ovarian insufficiency and infertility since the ovarian follicles are extremely sensitive to their effects. Although little information is available about the pathogenic mechanism of cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian damage, its toxicity is attributed to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. The use of compounds with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties to protect ovarian function from deleterious effects during chemotherapy would be a significant advantage. Thus, this article reviews the mechanism by which cyclophosphamide exerts its toxic effects on the different cellular components of the ovary, and describes 24 cytoprotective compounds used to ameliorate cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian injury and their possible mechanisms of action. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for the development of efficient and targeted pharmacological complementary therapies that could protect and prolong female fertility.

Unravelling the Protective Effects of Emodin Against Cyclophosphamide Induced Gonadotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Background

Over the past few decades, cyclophosphamide (CP) has been extensively used as a broad-spectrum alkylating agent for the treatment of various cancers and solid tumors. However, the therapeutic actions on CP are not limited to only cancer cells, as it simultaneously exerts significant toxicities on healthy cells through the instigation of oxidative stress and oxidative damages. CP induced testicular toxicity is associated with impaired spermatogenesis, reduced sperm functionality, reproductive hormone and testicular weight. This study was aimed at unravelling the protective effects of emodin (EMD) on testicular toxicity following CP treatment.

Methods

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were allotted into 4 groups as normal control group (NCG), CP control group (CPCG), EMD25+CP (25 mg/kg in 5% tween 80) and EMD50+CP groups (50 mg/kg in 5% tween 80). EMD was orally administered for 35 consecutive days, while four doses of CP (100 mg/kg/week) were administered intraperitoneally from the second to fifth week of treatment. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and histopathological examination of the testes as well as serum/testicular biochemical assays were conducted.

Results

The results revealed that CP significantly impeded sperm function parameters including sperm count, viability and motility as well as decreased reproductive hormones (testosterone, LH and FSH) levels. In addition, CP enhanced testicular oxidative stress and proinflammatory markers (MDA, IL-6 and TNF-α), while simultaneously decreasing testicular antioxidant enzymes (GSH, GPx, SOD and CAT). Evidence of marked histopathological alterations was also observed in the H&E stained testicular tissues of CP treated rats. EMD significantly prevented these CP induced negative effects.

Conclusion

This study provides a basis for the potential use of EMD in counteracting chemotherapy induced testicular toxicity. The results further suggest that EMD testicular protective effects in CP-treated rats may be mediated through its modulatory role on oxidative stress and inflammation.

Protective Effect of Crocin on Malathion-induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats: A Biochemical, Histopathological and Proteomics Study

In this study, the protective effect of crocin on malathion (MTN) induced cardiotoxicity in rats in subacute exposure was evaluated. Rats were divided into 6 groups; control (normal saline); MTN (100 mg/kg); MTN + crocin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) and MTN + vitamin E 200 IU/kg. Treatments were continued for two weeks. Creatine phosphokinase MB (CK-MB), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated in heart tissue at the end of treatments. The effect of crocin and MTN on histopathological changes in rat cardiac tissue was also investigated. The alteration of protein profile in the heart of the animals exposed to MTN was evaluated by proteomic approach through two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) software. MTN induced histopathological damages and elevated the level of cardiac marker CK-MB (P < 0.01). The level of MDA increased and the level of GSH reduced (P < 0.001). MDA levels were reduced in all crocin plus MTN groups (P < 0.001) and vitamin E plus MTN (P < 0.001) groups as compared to MTN groups. However, in the crocin (10 mg/kg) + MTN group, the content of GSH compared to MTN treated rats increased (P < 0.001). Protein abundance analysis identified proteins implicated in cardiac necrosis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, cellular energy homeostasis, arrhythmias, heart development, heart failure and cardiovascular homeostasis to be affected by MTN. In summary, MTN may induce damage in the heart tissue of rats following subacute exposure and crocin, as an antioxidant, showed protective effects against MTN cardiotoxicity.

Antioxidant Effects of Aerobic Training and Crocin Consumption on Doxorubicin-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats

Objective: Doxorubicin (DOX) treatment has been reported to increase the risk of serious toxicity in testis, therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of training and Crocin on doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Materials and methods:⊆_max) 5 day/w. Also, groups 2 to 7 administered 2 mg/kg/w DOX intraperitoneal. The testes were removed and glutathione peroxidase (GP_X), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and protein carbonyl (PC) were analyzed using ELISA methods, one-way analysis of variance along with Bonferroni’s post hoc test were used for analysis in SPSS (P≤0.05).

Results: The results of the present study showed that doxorubicin induced oxidative stress in testicular tissue by decreasing the level of GPX and TAC and increasing PC level (P≤0.05); TAC and GPX improved in all groups except groups 2 and 5, respectively, and their increase in the group 7 was significantly higher compared to other groups (P≤0.05). Increased PC levels were significantly reduced in the groups 5, 6 and 7.

Conclusion: The increase in antioxidant levels in the concurrent Crocin and training group seems to be dose-dependent, but the oxidative stress in both Crocin and training groups of 10 and 50 mg/kg/d is associated with a decrease, but its modulation in the Crocin consumption group alone depends on the dose.

Effects of chemotherapeutic agents on male germ cells and possible ameliorating impact of antioxidants

Treatment of cancer in young adults is associated with several side effects, particularly in the reproductive system. Detrimental effects of chemotherapy on the germ cells depend on many factors including primary semen parameters, the way of drug administration, the kind and dose of chemotherapeutic regimens, and the phase of spermatogenesis during the time of drug administration. Lack of appropriate fertility preservation treatments particularly in the affected children necessitates the introduction of methods to amend the harmful effects of chemotherapeutic agents on male germ cells. Several studies have assessed the toxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents in rodent models and tested a number of antioxidants to evaluate their possible impact on the preservation of sperm cells. In the present manuscript, we describe the effects of the mostly investigated chemotherapeutic drugs in this regard i.e., cisplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and cyclophosphamide. As several in vivo and in vitro studies have shown the impact of antioxidants on chemotherapy-induced damage of sperms, we also describe the protective effects of antioxidants in this regard.

Phycobiliproteins Ameliorate Gonadal Toxicity in Male Mice Treated with Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide (CP)-which is used to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer-is related to gonadotoxicity attributed to oxidative stress. As phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are strong antioxidants that are unexplored as protective agents against male gonadotoxicity, our work aimed to investigate the effects of PBP crude extract on testicular damage and sperm parameter alterations caused by CP in mice. Three doses of PBP (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were tested in the experimental groups (n = 8 per group), administered concomitantly with 100 mg/kg CP. After 42 days receiving PBP daily and CP weekly, body and relative testicular weights, serum testosterone levels, testicular lipoperoxidation and antioxidant enzyme activity levels, and testicular histology and sperm parameter alterations were assessed. The results showed that PBP crude extract at 200 mg/kg prevented testosterone serum reduction, body weight loss, lipoperoxidation and enzyme activity increments, and sperm parameter alterations and partially ameliorated relative testicular weight reductions and histological damage in CP-treated mice. In conclusion, we showed that PBP crude extract (200 mg/kg) mitigated oxidative damage in the testes and ameliorated alterations in sperm parameters in mice treated with CP (100 mg/kg); therefore, PBP extract could be considered as a potential protective agent against CP toxicity.

Protective effects of crocin on acrylamide-induced testis damage

Exposure to acrylamide (Ac) through food is almost inevitable and this kind of toxicity may cause lifelong harm. In present study, we researched effects of Crocin (Cr) on testis histopathology in Ac-induced testis of rats. Adult male rats were grouped as: group 1, 1 ml saline only; group 2, 50 mg/kg Cr only; group 3, 25 mg/kg Ac only and group 4, 25 mg/kg Ac + 50 mg/kg Cr. All administrations were given as 1 ml/day by gavage for 21 days. It was found that Ac adversely influenced the levels of FSH, testosterone and LH in the blood serum; malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI)/ glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant status (TAS) oxidant/antioxidant parameters in testis tissue (p < .01) and the histopathological parameters like Johnson's score, seminiferous tubule diameter, seminiferous epithelial height and H-score for caspase-3 immunoreactivity. In contrary, Cr treatment resulted in increase in testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizan hormone (LH) levels and SOD, CAT, GSH, TAS levels (p < .01) and improved all the histopathological changes. In conclusion, Cr has a promising protective potential against Ac-caused toxic damages in testicular tissue.

Ocimum tenuiflorum mitigates iron-induced testicular toxicity via modulation of redox imbalance, cholinergic and purinergic dysfunctions, and glucose metabolizing enzymes activities

Oxidative stress is a primary culprit in the pathophysiology of infertility conditions in males. This study investigated the effects of Ocimum tenuiflorum on redox imbalance, cholinergic and purinergic dysfunctions and glucose dysmetabolism in oxidative-mediated testicular toxicity using in vitro, ex vivo and in silico models. Induction of oxidative testicular injury was carried out by incubating normal testicular tissue with 0.1 mM FeSO₄ and treated by co-incubating with different concentrations of O. tenuiflorum infusion for 30 min at 37°C. O. tenuiflorum displayed significant ferric reducing power activity while scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl (OH˙) free radicals in vitro. Oxidative testicular injury significantly reduced the glutathione level and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities with concomitant elevation of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and acetylcholinesterase, ATPase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and glycogen phosphorylase (GlyP) activities. Incubation with the infusion significantly reversed these levels and activities. The phytochemical constituent of the infusion was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis and revealed favourable binding energies when docked with some of the studied proteins. These results suggest O. tenuiflorum exerts a protective effect against Fe²⁺ induced testicular toxicity via mitigation of redox imbalance while modulating metabolic dysfunctions linked to male infertility.

Amelioration of anxiety, depression, and chemotherapy related toxicity after crocin administration during chemotherapy of breast cancer: A double blind, randomized clinical trial

The effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on mood disorders have already been established. More recently, its anti-neoplastic effects have provoked a great attention. This study aims to assess the effects of crocin administration during doxorubicin-based chemotherapy of breast cancer on anxiety, depression, and chemotherapy toxicity profile. Seventy-two patients with non-metastatic Her2/neu positive or triple negative breast cancer were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either 30 mg/day of crocin or placebo during chemotherapy [2:2]. Beck's Depression and Anxiety Inventories were used at baseline and end of the trial. In addition, the ECOG Common Toxicity Criteria were applied to assess chemotherapy side-effects. After the intervention, the degree of anxiety and depression decreased significantly in the crocin group (p = .001 for both) and increased significantly in the placebo-group (p = .006 and p = .036, respectively). There were significantly higher grade II-IV leukopenia (47.2% vs. 19.4%, p = .012) in the crocin group, and grade II-IV hypersensitivity-reaction (30.6% vs. 5.6%, p = .006) in addition to neurological disorders (66.7% vs. 41.7%, p = .03) in the placebo-group. The results indicate that using crocin during chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer has ameliorated anxiety and depression. Moreover, leucopenia increased whereas hypersensitivity reaction and neurological disorders decreased in the crocin group. In addition, a trend toward survival improvement was observed, which is going to be investigated on longer follow up.

A network pharmacology approach to determine the underlying mechanisms of action of Yishen Tongluo formula for the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia

Oligoasthenozoospermia is a complex disease caused by a variety of factors, and its incidence is increasing yearly worldwide. Yishen Tongluo formula (YSTLF), created by Professor Sun Zixue, has been used to treat oligoasthenozoospermia in clinical practice for several decades with a good therapeutic effect. However, the chemical and pharmacological profiles of YSTLF remain unclear and need to be elucidated. In this study, a network pharmacology approach was applied to explore the potential mechanisms of YSTLF in oligoasthenozoospermia treatment. All of the compounds in YSTLF were retrieved from the corresponding databases, and the bioactive ingredients were screened according to their oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL). The potential proteins of YSTLF were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) database, while the potential genes of oligoasthenozoospermia were obtained from the GeneCards database and the DisGeNET database. The STRING database was used to construct an interaction network according to the common targets identified by the online tool Venny for YSTLF and oligoasthenozoospermia. The topological characteristics of nodes were visualized and analyzed through Cytoscape. Biological functions and significant pathways were determined and analyzed using the Gene Ontology (GO) knowledgebase, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Metascape. Finally, the disease-formula-compound-target-pathway network was constructed by Cytoscape. A total of 106 bioactive ingredients and 134 potential targets from YSTLF were associated with oligoasthenozoospermia or considered to be therapeutically relevant. Pathway analysis indicated that the PI3K/Akt, MAPK and apoptosis signaling pathways were significant pathways involved in oligoasthenozoospermia. In conclusion, the current study expounded the pharmacological actions and molecular mechanisms of YSTLF in treating oligoasthenozoospermia from a holistic viewpoint. The potential molecular mechanisms were closely related to antioxidative stress, antiapoptosis and anti-inflammation, with TNF, CCND1, ESR1, NFKBIA, NR3C1, MAPK8, and IL6 being possible targets. This network pharmacology prediction may offer a helpful tool to illustrate the molecular mechanisms of the Chinese herbal compound YSTLF in oligoasthenozoospermia treatment.

Crocins: A comprehensive review of structural characteristics, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effects

Crocins, as a kind of water-soluble carotenoid pigment, are a series of ester compounds formed from crocetin and gentibiose or glucose, and mainly distributed among Crocus sativus L. (CSL), Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. (GJE). Crocins exhibit a wide range of pharmacological effects on neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, depression, liver disease, arthritis, tumor, diabetes, etc. This review systematically discussed the pharmacologic study of crocins in the aspect of structural characteristic and pharmacokinetics, and summarized the mechanism of treating disease. It summarized the abundant research of crocins from 1984 to 2020 based on the above aspects, which provide a reference for the deeply development and application of crocins.

Morin-5'-Sulfonic Acid Sodium Salt (NaMSA) Attenuates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Histological Changes in Genitourinary Tract in Rats-Short Report

Cyclophosphamide (CPX) exerts toxicity in the urogenital system. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of morin-5′-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaMSA) on CPX-induced urogenital toxicity in rats. NaMSA (100 mg/kg/daily) and CPX (15 mg/kg/daily) alone or in combination and 0.9% NaCl (as a control) were given intragastrically for 10 days. Testes and epididymes from male and urinary bladders from male and female rats were evaluated histologically. In testes and epididymes, morphological changes and relative decrease in sperm count were assessed. In urinary bladders edema, hemorrhage and urothelium erosions were described by 0–2 points scoring system. Reproductive score (RS—in total 6 points) and urinary bladder score (BS—in total 6 points) were thereafter calculated. In CPX-receiving group RS (2.7) and BS (3.3) were significantly higher than in the control (0.5 and 0.25 for RS and BS, respectively). Co-administration of NaMSA reversed most of the morphological changes, which was reflected by lower RS and BS score (0.5 and 1.2 for RS and BS, respectively). The preliminary findings suggest that NaMSA may attenuate CPX-induced histological changes in rat urogenital tract.

Beta 1 adrenoceptor blockade promotes angiogenesis in hypertrophied myocardium of transverse aortic constricted mice

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an adaptive structural remodelling consequent to uncontrolled blood pressure. Impaired angiogenesis plays a vital role in transiting LVH into cardiac failure. Catecholamines modulate myocardial function through beta adrenoceptors, and their blockers (β-AR) reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by decelerating the LVH progression. Nonetheless, the effect of β-AR blockers on myocardial vascular bed remains largely obscure. Hence, this study is focussed on analysing the possible outcomes of β-AR blockers on myocardial vascular remodelling using a surgically induced LVH mice model. Transverse aortic constricted mice and sham-operated mice were administered with metoprolol at a dose of 30 mg/kg/d for 60 days and myocardial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) alpha levels, GSH/GSSG ratio, myocardial protein carbonyl content, hypertrophy index and global myocardial function, trans-aortic fluid dynamics and expression pattern of angiopoietin-1 and VEGF alpha were assessed. These findings were further confirmed by histochemical analysis for myocardial capillary density, perivascular fibrosis ratio and intimal thickening. Sub- chronic β-AR blockade reduced the oxidative stress, hypertrophic index, intimal thickening and perivascular fibrosis ratio. A marked increase in myocardial VEGF, angiopoietin 1, global myocardial function and myocardial capillary density was also observed. There was a reduction in the LVH and upregulation of myocardial angiogenesis concluding that β-AR blockers prevent adverse vascular remodelling which might underlie its concealed mechanism of action.

Cytotoxic responses of the anticancer drug cyclophosphamide in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and comparative sensitivity with human cells lines

The rise of cancer cases worldwide led to an increase in production and consumption of anticancer drugs, that ultimately end up in the marine environment and are accumulated in aquatic organisms. Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic alkylating agent frequently prescribed in cancer treatments. This study assess ecotoxicological effects of CP on mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, through in vivo and ex vivo approaches and compares the sensitivity of mussel haemocytes with well-established human cell lines (RPE and HeLa). Mussels were exposed in vivo to CP (1000 ng L^-1) and several biomarkers analysed in gills and digestive glands namely neurotoxicity (AChE activity), oxidative stress (GPx activity), biotransformation (GST activity), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and apoptosis (caspase activity), whereas genotoxicity was determined in mussels' haemocytes. Cytotoxicity was also assessed in haemocytes (in vivo and ex vivo) and human cell lines (in vitro) exposed to a range of CP concentrations (50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 ng L^-1) over 24 h, via neutral red assay. In in vivo exposure, detoxification of CP did not efficiently occur in the gills while in digestive glands GPx and GST activities were induced, jointly with a decrease in lipid peroxidation, indicating a potential outcome of the protective antioxidant mechanisms, whereas no apoptosis was noted. Moreover, cytotoxicity and DNA damage were detected in haemocytes. The ex vivo exposure haemocytes to CP caused cytotoxicity (from 100 ng L^-1), whereas no effects occurred in human cell lines. This suggests that, at relevant environmental concentrations, CP cause subtle and irreversible impacts on M. galloprovincialis.

Protective Effect of Vitamin C and Zinc as an Antioxidant Against Chemotherapy-Induced Male Reproductive Toxicity

Treatment with anticancer drugs such as cyclophosphamide can harm the male reproductive system. Vitamin C and zinc are micronutrients with antioxidant activity and are the essential components of semen. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether cyclophosphamide-exposed mice can recover from fertility with vitamin C and zinc therapy.

In this experimental study, fifty male mice were divided into five groups. Groups 1-4 received cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg, once a week for eight weeks). Also, group 2 received zinc (200 mg/kg), group 3 received vitamin C (300 mg/kg), group 4 received zinc and vitamin C (200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, respectively), five times per week for eight weeks, and group 5 received normal saline once a week and water five days a week for eight weeks. The data collected were statistically analyzed using SPSS 22.

Results showed a significant increase in mount latency and a significant decrease in the number of sperms in the cyclophosphamide group compared to the control group. However, mount latency has been significantly decreased in mice treated with cyclophosphamide plus zinc compared to the cyclophosphamide group. The study also showed that the sperm count in the group that received cyclophosphamide and zinc had been increased compared to the cyclophosphamide group; the other treatments have decreased mount latency and increased the sperm count compared to the group treated with cyclophosphamide but not significantly. The Tubule Differentiation Index showed an increase in the cyclophosphamide-Zinc-Vitamin C group in comparison with the cyclophosphamide group.

The current study showed that zinc could improve cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity of the reproductive system in male mice.

Ameliorative effect of nerolidol on cyclophosphamide-induced gonadal toxicity in Swiss Albino mice: Biochemical-, histological- and immunohistochemical-based evidences

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is commonly used as antineoplastic and immunosuppressant drug with noticeable gonadotoxic profile. Nerolidol (NER) is a sesquiterpene with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the present study was designed to explore its possible gonadal protective potential against cyclophosphamide-induced testicular, epididymal, seminal and spermatozoal toxicities. Animals were divided into five groups: control (normal saline for 14 days), treatment group (NER 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o) for 14 days along with a single dose of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg, i.p) on 7^th day, toxic and Per se groups (cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg i.p) on 7^th day and NER 400 mg/kg for 14 days respectively. Animals were sacrificed on the 15 day, and body weight, weight of reproductive organs, testosterone level, sperm count, biochemical parameters, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed in the testes, epididymis and in the serum. CP administration induced oxidative stress, nitrative stress, inflammation, reduced testosterone level, sperm count, increased expression of MPO and caused histological aberrations in the testes, epididymis and seminal vesicles. CP caused reduced sperm count, sperm motility and testosterone level which got reversed upon treatment with nerolidol in a dose-dependent manner. Nerolidol thus acted as a gonadoprotective molecule and prevented the gonadotoxicity of CP.

Orally Administered Crocin Protects Against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through the Metabolic Transformation of Crocetin by Gut Microbiota

Our pilot study suggested that orally administered crocin was hardly absorbed into circulatory system, but it was effective against cerebral ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The pharmacologically active component and targeting site of crocin remain elusive. In this study, the cerebral-protective effect of crocin was evaluated on a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Our data showed that oral administration of crocin had better effectiveness in cerebral protection than an intravenous injection. Neither crocin nor its metabolite crocetin were determined in the brain of cerebral I/R rats, indicating a target site of periphery. Abundant crocetin was detected in plasma after oral administration instead of intravenous injection of crocin. Meanwhile, orally administered crocetin showed similar cerebral protection to that of crocin, but this exciting effect was not clearly observed by intravenous administration of crocetin, indicating the importance of crocetin in gut. Moreover, orally administered crocin showed less cerebral-protective effect in pseudo germ-free (pGF) MCAO rats. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that crocin could be deglycosylated to crocetin in gut content of normal rats, rather than that of pGF rats, indicating that gut microbiota facilitated the transformation of crocin into crocetin, which played a key role in the activation of the pharmacological effect. Metabolomic study revealed that microbial-host co-metabolic molecules were significantly perturbed after oral administration of crocin, indicating a regulation on intestinal ecosystem. It was further suggested that gut microbiota may be the potential target of the cerebral-protective effect of crocin.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Ocular Diseases: A Narrative Review of the Existing Evidence from Clinical Studies

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its main constituents, i.e., crocin and crocetin, are natural carotenoid compounds, which have been reported to possess a wide spectrum of properties and induce pleiotropic anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective effects. An increasing number of experimental, animal, and human studies have investigated the effects and mechanistic pathways of these compounds in order to assess their potential therapeutic use in ocular diseases (e.g., in age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic maculopathy). This narrative review presents the key findings of published clinical studies that examined the effects of saffron and/or its constituents in the context of ocular disease, as well as an overview of the proposed underlying mechanisms mediating these effects.