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Noh S, Go A, Kim DB, Park M, Jeon HW, Kim B. Role of Antioxidant Natural Products in Management of Infertility: A Review of Their Medicinal Potential. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E957. [PMID: 33036328 PMCID: PMC7600260 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9100957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjin Noh
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Ara Go
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Da Bin Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Minjeong Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Hee Won Jeon
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea;
| | - Bonglee Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea; (S.N.); (A.G.); (D.B.K.); (M.P.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea;
- Korean Medicine-Based Drug Repositioning Cancer Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 05253, Korea
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Bhardwaj JK, Panchal H, Saraf P. Ameliorating Effects of Natural Antioxidant Compounds on Female Infertility: a Review. Reprod Sci 2020; 28:1227-1256. [PMID: 32935256 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00312-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of female infertility cases has been increasing at a frightening rate, affecting approximately 48 million women across the world. However, oxidative stress has been recognized as one of the main mediators of female infertility by causing various reproductive pathologies in females such as endometriosis, PCOS, preeclampsia, spontaneous abortion, and unexplained infertility. Nowadays, concerned women prefer dietary supplements with antioxidant properties over synthetic drugs as a natural way to lessen the oxidative stress and enhance their fertility. Therefore, the current review is an attempt to explore the efficacy of various natural antioxidant compounds including vitamins, carotenoids, and plant polyphenols and also of some medicinal plants in improving the fertility status of females. Our summarization of recent findings in the current article would pave the way toward the development of new possible antioxidant therapy to treat infertility in females. Natural antioxidant compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and other dietary sources, alone or in combination with other antioxidants, were found to be effective in ameliorating the oxidative stress-mediated infertility problems in both natural and assisted reproductive settings. Numerous medicinal plants showed promising results in averting the various reproductive disorders associated with female infertility, suggesting a plant-based herbal medicine to treat infertility. Although optimum levels of natural antioxidants have shown favorable results, however, their excessive intake may have adverse health impacts. Therefore, larger well-designed, dose-response studies in humans are further warranted to incorporate natural antioxidant compounds into the clinical management of female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender Kumar Bhardwaj
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, 136119, India.
| | - Harish Panchal
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, 136119, India
| | - Priyanka Saraf
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, 136119, India
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Franco PC, Simões RS, Carbonel AAF, Sasso GRDS, Florencio-Silva R, Baracat EC, Girão MBC, Soares Júnior JM, Simões MDJ. The influence of phytoestrogens or estrogens on the proliferation of the rat endocervical mucosa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 66:174-179. [PMID: 32428152 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.66.2.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although estrogen therapy is widely used against post-menopausal symptoms, it can present adverse effects, including endometrial cancer. Soy isoflavones are considered a possible alternative to estrogen therapy. However, there are still concerns whether isoflavones exert trophic effects on the uterine cervix. To evaluate the histomorphometric and immunohistochemical alterations in the uterine cervix of ovariectomized rats treated with soy isoflavones (Iso). METHODS Fifteen adult Wistar rats were ovariectomized (Ovx) and divided into three groups: Group I (Ovx), administered with vehicle solution; Group II (OVX-Iso), administered with concentrated extract of Iso (150 mg/kg) by gavage; and Group III (OVX-E2), treated with 17β-estradiol (10 µg/kg), subcutaneously. After 30 days of treatments, the uterine cervix was fixed in 10% formaldehyde and processed for paraffin-embedding. Sections were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin for morphological and morphometric studies or subjected to immunohistochemistry for detections of Ki-67 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (Vegf-A). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS We noted an atrophic uterine cervix in GI, whereas it was more voluminous in GII and even more voluminous in GIII. The thickness of the cervical mucosa was significantly higher in GIII, as compared to GI and GII. The cell proliferation (Ki-67) was significantly elevated in the estradiol and isoflavones treated groups, whereas Vegf-A immunoexpression was significantly higher in GIII, as compared to groups GII and GI. CONCLUSIONS Soy isoflavones cause less trophic and proliferative effects in the uterine cervix of rats as compared to estrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Celso Franco
- . Departamento de Morfologia e Genética - Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo - EPM/Unifesp - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Ricardo Santos Simões
- . Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia - Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - FMUSP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Adriana Aparecida Ferraz Carbonel
- . Departamento de Morfologia e Genética - Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo - EPM/Unifesp - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Gisela Rodrigues da Silva Sasso
- . Departamento de Ginecologia - Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo - EPM/Unifesp - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Rinaldo Florencio-Silva
- . Departamento de Morfologia e Genética - Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo - EPM/Unifesp - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Edmund Chada Baracat
- . Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia - Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - FMUSP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Manoel Batista Castello Girão
- . Departamento de Ginecologia - Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo - EPM/Unifesp - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - José Maria Soares Júnior
- . Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia - Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - FMUSP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Manuel de Jesus Simões
- . Departamento de Morfologia e Genética - Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo - EPM/Unifesp - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Bolouki A, Zal F, Alaee S. Ameliorative effects of quercetin on the preimplantation embryos development in diabetic pregnant mice. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2020; 46:736-744. [PMID: 32088935 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
AIM Maternal diabetes adversely retards the development of preimplantation embryos. Quercetin is a flavonoid belonging to phytoestrogens family and may be useful in treatment of reproductive disorders. The aim of this study was investigation of the ameliorative effects of quercetin administration on preimplantation embryo development in diabetic pregnancy. METHODS Diabetic and healthy female mice were treated with 30 mg/kg/day quercetin 4 weeks before conception. Blastocysts were recovered at the 4th day of pregnancy for protein and mRNA expression changes. Plasma sex-steroid levels were also analyzed. RESULTS Quercetin significantly decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. Embryos retrieved from diabetic mice exhibited a considerable delay in morphological development. In diabetic mice with quercetin treatment, morphological distribution was shifted considerably to the well-developed stages. Serum estradiol level reduced in diabetic mice but, treatment with quercetin significantly increased serum estradiol level. While IGF1R, integrin αvβ3, and Cox2 mRNA expression in the blastocyst of diabetic mice decreased significantly, quercetin treatment caused increasing expression levels of these genes. Expression of the Caspase3 gene increased dramatically in the collected blastocysts from diabetic mice and reduced following quercetin treatment. Besides, the inactive β-catenin protein level in the blastocysts of diabetic mice was higher than that in normal mice, while treatment with quercetin decreased the level of inactive β-catenin protein in the blastocyst of diabetic mice. CONCLUSION Quercetin protects preimplantation embryos from destructive effects of diabetes. The amelioration of sex hormones disturbance in early pregnancy may help to treat reproductive disorders in diabetic women. Quercetin can be considered as a novel solution to the improvement of reproductive disorders in the diabetic females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayeh Bolouki
- Biochemistry Department, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Zal
- Biochemistry Department, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sanaz Alaee
- Reproductive Biology Department, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Carbonel AAF, Vieira MC, Simões RS, Lima PDA, Fuchs LFP, Girão ERC, Cicivizzo GP, Sasso GRS, de Moraes LOC, Soares Junior JM, Baracat EC, Simões MJ, Girão MJBC. Isoflavones improve collagen I and glycosaminoglycans and prevent bone loss in type 1 diabetic rats. Climacteric 2019; 23:75-83. [DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2019.1627314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. A. F. Carbonel
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M. C. Vieira
- Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R. S. Simões
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty of University of São Paulo – FMUSP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P. D. A. Lima
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - L. F. P. Fuchs
- Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E. R. C. Girão
- Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G. P. Cicivizzo
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G. R. S. Sasso
- Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L. O. Carvalho de Moraes
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J. M. Soares Junior
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty of University of São Paulo – FMUSP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E. C. Baracat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty of University of São Paulo – FMUSP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M. J. Simões
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M. J. B. C. Girão
- Department of Gynecology, Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo – EPM/UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
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Lopes CMC, Lazzarini JR, Soares Júnior JM, Baracat EC. Phytotherapy: yesterday, today, and forever? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 64:765-768. [PMID: 30672993 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.64.09.765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ceci Mendes Carvalho Lopes
- . Assistant Professor and Doctor of the Clínica Ginecológica of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brasil
| | | | - José Maria Soares Júnior
- . Associate Professor of Disciplina de Ginecologia do Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo USP, São Paulo/SP, Brasil
| | - Edmund C Baracat
- . Full Professor of Disciplina de Ginecologia do Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo USP, São Paulo/SP, Brasil
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Carbonel AAF, Simões RS, Girão JHC, Sasso GRDS, Bertoncini CRA, Sorpreso ICE, Soares Junior JM, Simões MJ, Baracat EC. Isoflavones in gynecology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 64:560-564. [PMID: 30304316 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.64.06.560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Aparecida Ferraz Carbonel
- Department of Morphology and Genetics-Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Ricardo Santos Simões
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Medicine Faculty of University of São Paulo - FMUSP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - João Henrique Castello Girão
- Department of Gynecology - Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Gisela Rodrigues da Silva Sasso
- Department of Gynecology - Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | - José Maria Soares Junior
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Medicine Faculty of University of São Paulo - FMUSP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Manuel Jesus Simões
- Department of Morphology and Genetics-Paulista School of Medicine/Federal University of São Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Edmund Chada Baracat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Medicine Faculty of University of São Paulo - FMUSP - São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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