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Babenko AN, Krepkova LV, Borovkova MV, Kuzina OS, Mkhitarov VA, Job KM, Enioutina EY. Effects of Chicory ( Cichorium intybus L.) Extract on Male Rat Reproductive System, Pregnancy and Offspring Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:700. [PMID: 38931367 PMCID: PMC11206608 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We recently reported that extract prepared from the aerial part of Cichorium intybus L. (CE) possesses hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic properties. This paper focuses on the effects of CE on the male rat reproductive system and the effects of this treatment on pregnancy and offspring development. METHODS The experimental male rats received 100 mg/kg bw/day, 500 mg/kg bw/day, and 1000 mg/kg bw/day of CE orally for 60 consecutive days. Rats that received tap water were used as controls. After treatment, we evaluated the effects of CE on the male reproductive system, fertility, and offspring development. RESULTS For CE-treated male rats, there was a significant increase in the (1) diameter of seminiferous tubules, (2) spermatogenic index, (3) number of total and motile spermatozoa, and (4) testosterone levels. Additionally, there was a decrease in the pre- and post-implantation death of the embryos in the CE-treated group. All pups born from CE-treated males demonstrated normal development. CONCLUSIONS CE treatment significantly improved male reproductive functions. No adverse effects on pregnancy and offspring development were observed when males were treated with CE. Further clinical evaluation of CE should lead to the development of a safe and effective phytodrug for treating male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N. Babenko
- All-Russian Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR), Moscow 113628, Russia; (A.N.B.); (L.V.K.); (M.V.B.); (O.S.K.)
| | - Lubov V. Krepkova
- All-Russian Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR), Moscow 113628, Russia; (A.N.B.); (L.V.K.); (M.V.B.); (O.S.K.)
| | - Marina V. Borovkova
- All-Russian Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR), Moscow 113628, Russia; (A.N.B.); (L.V.K.); (M.V.B.); (O.S.K.)
| | - Olga S. Kuzina
- All-Russian Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR), Moscow 113628, Russia; (A.N.B.); (L.V.K.); (M.V.B.); (O.S.K.)
| | | | - Kathleen M. Job
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA;
| | - Elena Y. Enioutina
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA;
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Ameliorative Sexual Behavior and Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitory Effects of Spondias mangifera Fruit Extract in Rodents: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11133732. [PMID: 35807028 PMCID: PMC9267661 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11133732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ethanolic extracts of Spondias mangifera fruit (SMFE) were evaluated for aphrodisiac activity. The in-vitro phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibition was assessed based on in-silico molecular docking and simulation studies. In addition, the in-vivo sexual behavior was analyzed in the form of mount (MF, ML), intromission (IF, IL), and ejaculation (EF, EL) frequencies and latencies to validate the in-vitro results. Some biochemical parameters, including PDE-5, nitric oxide, and testosterone, were also observed. The above extract constituted β-amyrin, β-sitosterol, and oleanolic acid and showed tremendous binding with phosphodiesterase-5 and sildenafil. Both the sildenafil and ethanolic extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg/d bodyweight) significantly (p < 0.1, p < 0.05) increased MF, IF, and EF, respectively. In contrast, ML and IL significantly (p < 0.1) decreased, and EL significantly (p < 0.1) increased compared with a normal group of animals. The ethanolic extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg/d bodyweight) and sildenafil further significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.1) diminished PDE-5 activity significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.1) and enhanced nitric oxide and testosterone levels, as compared with normal rodents. Therefore, the S. mangifera ethanolic extract might be a valuable alternate aphrodisiac for erectile dysfunction.
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Chang CC, Houng JY, Peng WH, Yeh TW, Wang YY, Chen YL, Chang TH, Hung WC, Yu TH. Effects of Abelmoschus manihot Flower Extract on Enhancing Sexual Arousal and Reproductive Performance in Zebrafish. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27072218. [PMID: 35408615 PMCID: PMC9000255 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The flower of Abelmoschus manihot L. is mainly used for the treatment of chronic kidney diseases, and has been reported to have bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antidepressant activities. This study used wild-type adult zebrafish as an animal model to elucidate the potential bioactivity of A. manihot flower ethanol extract (AME) in enhancing their sexual and reproductive functions. Zebrafish were fed AME twice a day at doses of 0.2%, 1%, and 10% for 28 days, and were then given the normal feed for an additional 14 days. The hormone 17-β estradiol was used as the positive control. Sexual behavioral parameters such as the number of times males chased female fish, the production of fertilized eggs, and the hatching rate of the fertilized eggs were recorded at days 0.33, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42. The expression levels of sex-related genes—including lhcgr, ar, cyp19a1a, and cyp19a1b—were also examined. The results showed that the chasing number, fertilized egg production, and hatching rate were all increased with the increase in the AME treatment dose and treatment time. After feeding with 1% and 10% AME for 28 days, the chasing number in the treated group as compared to the control group increased by 1.52 times and 1.64 times, respectively; the yield of fertilized eggs increased by 1.59 times and 2.31 times, respectively; and the hatching rate increased by 1.26 times and 1.69 times, respectively. All three parameters exhibited strong linear correlations with one another (p < 0.001). The expression of all four genes was also upregulated with increasing AME dose and treatment duration. When feeding with 0.2%, 1%, and 10% AME for 28 days, the four sex-related genes were upregulated at ranges of 1.79−2.08-fold, 2.74−3.73-fold, and 3.30−4.66-fold, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of AME was persistent, as the promotion effect continued after the treatment was stopped for at least two weeks. The present findings suggest that AME can enhance the endocrine system and may improve libido and reproductive performance in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chang Chang
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan;
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, E-Da Hospital/E-Da Dachang Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (Y.-L.C.); (T.-H.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-5599123 (ext. 1014)
| | - Jer-Yiing Houng
- Department of Nutrition, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hao Peng
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan;
| | - Tien-Wei Yeh
- School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (T.-W.Y.); (Y.-Y.W.)
| | - Yun-Ya Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (T.-W.Y.); (Y.-Y.W.)
| | - Ya-Ling Chen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, E-Da Hospital/E-Da Dachang Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (Y.-L.C.); (T.-H.C.)
| | - Tzu-Hsien Chang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, E-Da Hospital/E-Da Dachang Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (Y.-L.C.); (T.-H.C.)
| | - Wei-Chin Hung
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (W.-C.H.); (T.-H.Y.)
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Hung Yu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (W.-C.H.); (T.-H.Y.)
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
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