Influence of Cyperus esculentus tubers (tiger nut) on male rat copulatory behavior

A review on the biological and bioactive components of Cyperus esculentus L.: insight on food, health and nutrition

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a small, tuberous root vegetable that has gained increasing attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits. This review article provides an elaborate overview of tiger nut, including its botany, historical uses, nutritional composition, potential health benefits and traditional medicinal uses. This review article comprehensively discusses the nutritional profile of tiger nut, providing a detailed understanding of its nutrient content. Furthermore, the potential health benefits of tiger nut are thoroughly reviewed, including its effects on digestive health, cardiovascular health, blood sugar control, immune function and other potential therapeutic uses. Scientific articles used for this review were retrieved from ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed and SciELO databases. Only articles published between 1997 and 2022 were used for research. This review contributes to a better understanding of tiger nut and its prospective uses in functional foods and medicine by combining the available scientific material. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Levels of elements in selected food substances that support usage in the management and treatment of erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND

The use of fruits and vegetables for the management and treatment of erectile dysfunction has gained popularity due to the cheaper cost, accessibility and perceived absence of side effects. Much of the work done on plant-based aphrodisiacs has focused on the phytochemistry of secondary metabolites.

AIM

This work sought to analyze selected fruits and vegetables that are commonly used in the management of erectile dysfunction in Ghana and quantify the levels of some micro- and macro-elements necessary for good penile health in order to determine the usefulness or otherwise of the selected produce.

METHODS

Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to detect and quantify the levels of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), selenium (Se), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in carrot roots, cucumber fruit, garlic bulb, ginger rhizome, nutmeg fruit, sweet potato tuber, tiger nut tuber and watermelon fruit.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed the presence of K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn. Levels of Se were below detection. The concentration of K was the highest in each of the food substances. However, in terms of recommended daily allowance, Mg had the highest contribution. Cucumber fruit and the rind of watermelon fruit had the highest levels of micro- and macro-elements implicated in erectile dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

The potential use of these foods to treat and manage erectile dysfunction may not only be due to the presence of phytochemicals alone but also the presence of significant levels of micro- and macro-elements required for good penile health.

Variability of the Main Economically Valuable Characteristics of Cyperus esculentus L. in Various Ecological and Geographical Conditions

This study includes an assessment of the VIR (Center N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources) chufa collection, grown in various ecological and geographical conditions of the Russian Federation: "Yekaterininskaya experimental station VIR" in the Tambov region and "Kuban experimental station VIR" in the Krasnodar Region during the years 2020-2021. The main indicators of the economic value of chufa accessions were studied: yield structure and nutritional value (oil, protein, starch, and fatty acid profile). The accessions were grown in regions with different climatic conditions. As a result of the study, the variability of the biochemical and yield characteristics and the correlation between the studied indicators and the factor structure of its variability were established. Of the 20 accessions used in the study, the accessions with the highest protein, starch, oil and unsaturated fatty acid contents were selected, which are the most promising for their use as a raw material to expand the range of regional functional food products, as well as for future breeding efforts in the development of new, promising regional chufa varieties.

Ginkgo biloba supplement abates lead-induced endothelial and testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats via up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression, pituitary-testicular hormones and down-regulation of oxido-inflammatory reactions

BACKGROUND

Apoptotic and oxido-inflammatory pathways have been found to be up-regulated in lead acetate poisoning which has been associated to endothelial and testicular dysfunctions. It is yet uncertain, nevertheless, if treatment with Ginkgo biloba supplements (GBS), a flavonoid-rich natural product can lessen the adverse effects of lead on endothelial and testicular functions. This study investigated the impact of Ginkgo biloba supplementation on lead-induced endothelial and testicular dysfunctions.

METHODS

The animals were treated with GBS (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally) for 14 days following oral exposure to lead acetate (25 mg/kg) for 14 days. After euthanasia, blood samples, epididymal sperm, testes, and aorta were collected. The quantities of the hormones (testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as the anti-apoptotic, oxidative, nitrergic, inflammatory markers, were then determined using immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and conventional biochemical methods.

RESULTS

GBS reduced lead-induced oxidative stress by increasing the levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) in endothelium and testicular cells. Normal testicular weight was restored by GBS which also decreased endothelial endothelin-I and increased nitrite levels. TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased while Bcl-2 protein expression was enhanced. Lead-induced alterations in reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, and testosterone) were also restored to normal.

CONCLUSION

According to our result, using Ginkgo biloba supplement prevented lead from causing endothelial and testicular dysfunction by raising pituitary-testicular hormone levels, boosting Bcl-2 protein expression and lowering oxidative and inflammatory stress in the endothelium and testes.

Effects of Spirulina maxima on a Model of Sexual Dysfunction in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima (SM) is a cyanobacterium that has a long history of being used as human food. In recent years, several investigations have shown its beneficial biological effects, among which its antioxidant capacity has been highlighted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SM on body weight, glycemia, sexual behavior, sperm quality, testosterone levels, sex organ weights, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic male rats (a disease characterized by an increase in reactive oxygen species). The experiment consisted of six groups of sexually expert adult males (n = 6): (1) control (vehicle); (2) streptozotocin (STZ)-65 mg/kg; (3) SM-400 mg/kg; (4) STZ + SM-100 mg/kg; (5) STZ + SM-200 mg/kg; and (6) STZ + SM-400 mg/kg. Sexual behavior tests were performed during the first 3 h of the dark period under dim red illumination. Our results showed that SM significantly improved sexual behavior and sperm quality vs. diabetic animals. Likewise, while the enzymatic activities of SOD and GPx increased, TBARS lipoperoxidation decreased and testosterone levels increased. In view of the findings, it is suggested that SM may potentially be used as a nutraceutical for the treatment of diabetic male sexual dysfunction due to its antioxidant property.

Long-term exposure to cimetidine induced gonado-toxicity in male rats: Modulating role of Ocimum gratissimum

BACKGROUND

Available evidence suggests that cimetidine is a reproductive toxicant that induces sexual and testicular dysfunction. Ocimum gratissimum (OG) is globally consumed for medicinal and nutritional purposes. To determine the modulating role of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum on cimetidine-induced gonado-toxicity, sexually mature male rats were randomized into four groups of six (n=6) rats each. Group A: control given 2ml distilled water. Group B received 500mg/kg body weight (bwt) of OG extract, Group C received 50mg/kg bwt cimetidine, and group D received 50mg/kg bwt of cimetidine+500mg/kg bwt OG extract once daily for 8 weeks via gastric gavage. Parameters tested include sperm parameters, testosterone (TT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin, testicular alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein, cholesterol, glycogen, sexual behavioural parameters, and testicular histology.

RESULTS

There were depletions in the seminiferous epithelium, decreased sperm quality, TT, LH, and FSH, testicular enzymes, protein, cholesterol, glycogen, and sexual behaviour increase in animals treated with cimetidine only compared to control. OG restored and improved sexual behaviour and libido as evident from increased frequencies of mount, intromission, ejaculation, and ejaculatory latency. Mount latencies, intromission, post-ejaculation, and prolactin were significantly decreased. The significantly decreased testicular activities of ALP, ACP, LDH and protein, cholesterol, glycogen concentrations, TT, LH and FSH were increased by OG administration.

CONCLUSION

Ocimum gratissimum attenuated the deleterious effects of cimetidine on the testis, protected the seminiferous epithelium, restored, and boosted sexual competence, and promoted spermatogenesis.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) mitigates lead (II) acetate-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats via up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression, pituitary-testicular hormonal axis and down-regulation of oxido-inflammatory reactions

Oxido-inflammatory stress has been involved in lead-induced testicular dysfunction and plants rich in anti-oxidants has been reported to be beneficial in combating heavy metal poisonings in animal studies. However, cabbage juice protective effect on lead-induced testicular dysfunction was investigated in this study. Twenty male Wistar rats were selected into four (n = 5) groups and given distilled water (1 ml/100 g body weight), lead acetate (25 mg/kg body weight), cabbage juice (1 ml/100 g body weight), and lead acetate with cabbage juice, respectively. All treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Sperm count, motility, viability, testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, testicular Bcl-2 expression, and enzymatic anti-oxidant capabilities were considerably (p < 0.05) decrease in lead-treated animals. However, cabbage juice significantly (p < 0.05) elevated these parameters. Testicular malondialdehyde, tumour necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide and interleukin-6 was elevated by lead acetate. When comparing cabbage juice-treated animals to lead-treated animals, all of these parameters were considerably (p < 0.05) downregulated in cabbage juice-treated animals. Following lead administration, the testes' histomorphological alterations were not totally recovered despite therapy with cabbage juice. Conclusively, this study suggest that cabbage juice mitigates testicular dysfunction associated with lead exposure via its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and androgenic properties.

Hoop House and Field Evaluation of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck) Selections in New Jersey, USA

Tigernut or ‘chufa’ (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus) is gaining popularity in the United States as a high energy tuber crop known for sweet and chewy taste, 40–45% gluten-free digestible carbohydrate, high dietary fiber content, healthful fatty acid profile (73% monounsaturated, 18% saturated, 9% polyunsaturated—similar to olive oil), high oleic acid, and high P, K, and vitamins C. E. Tigernut tubers were obtained from specialty crop markets in central NJ and purchased online from commercial distributors as propagules for transplants for hoop house and field production studies. Nine tigernut selections were also evaluated under NJ hoop house culture conditions for growth habit and in the field for adaptation and productivity We concluded that tigernut production is feasible in NJ based on the results of these experiments. The growth patterns of three selections (GH, MV and SK) were studied and characterized. Foliage growth was similar in the three selections. Plant height ranged from an average of 90 cm in GH to 110 cm in MV and SK; side shoot production capacity ranged from 13 shoots per propagule in GH to 20 or more in MV and SK over 14 weeks. Over 99% of tubers in MV and SK were located within the upper 5 cm of the growth media (Pro-Mix BX brand) but tubers of GH were observed at greater soil depths (~20 cm). Tubers varied from spherical (round) in shape in GH and SK to oblong (elongated) in MV. In the field the best growth and tuber yields from NG3 and T-USA selections were obtained under black or white-over-black plastic mulch in conventionally managed plots. Tubers showed high levels of Fe (168–218 ppm) and Zn (39–50 ppm) implying that they should be a good source of these essential elements in human diet. Studies also showed that the tigernut tuber cannot survive the cold winter months in the field in NJ, therefore minimizing the fear of “tigernut invasion” of agronomic fields in NJ and similar agroecosystems.

Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus L.): Nutrition, Processing, Function and Applications

The tiger nut is the tuber of Cyperus esculentus L., which is a high-quality wholesome crop that contains lipids, protein, starch, fiber, vitamins, minerals and bioactive factors. This article systematically reviewed the nutritional composition of tiger nuts; the processing methods for extracting oil, starch and other edible components; the physiochemical and functional characteristics; as well as their applications in food industry. Different extraction methods can affect functional and nutritional properties to a certain extent. At present, mechanical compression, alkaline methods and alkali extraction-acid precipitation are the most suitable methods for the production of its oil, starch and protein in the food industry, respectively. Based on traditional extraction methods, combination of innovative techniques aimed at yield and physiochemical characteristics is essential for the comprehensive utilization of nutrients. In addition, tiger nut has the radical scavenging ability, in vitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects and displays medical properties. It has been made to milk, snacks, beverages and gluten-free bread. Despite their ancient use for food and feed and the many years of intense research, tiger nuts and their components still deserve further exploitation on the functional properties, modifications and intensive processing to make them suitable for industrial production.

Increased de novo glutathione production enhances sexual dysfunctions in rats subjected to paradoxical sleep deprivation

OBJECTIVE

Poor quality of sexual life has been reported secondary to poor sleep or sleep deprivation. Paradoxical sleep is an integral part of the sleep-wakefulness physiology and prolonged paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) may even be fatal. The objective of this investigation was to determine if D-ribose-L-cysteine (RibCys) and zinc (Zn) administration can attenuate the effect of PSD on the sexual function of male rats.

METHODS

Following acclimatization, 25 male rats were randomly distributed into five groups of 5 rats each. The PSD, PSD+RibCys, PSD+Zn, PSD+RibCys+Zn, and Control groups were sleep-deprived only, sleep-deprived and given 100mg/kg body-weight of pure RibCys, sleep-deprived and given 10mg/kg body weight Zn, sleep-deprived and given a combination of 100mg/kg of RibCys and 10mg/kg of Zn, and given distilled water without sleep deprivation, respectively. PSD lasted for 20 hours per day for 14 days. Subsequently, the sexual behavioral study was carried out and the animals were sacrificed for biochemical assays.

RESULTS

Analyses of results show that for animals treated with RibCys or Zn, all sexual parameters such as mount frequency and latency, intromission frequency and latency and ejaculation frequency and latency were significantly improved compared with animals subjected to PSD only. This improvement correlates strongly with serum glutathione (GHS) levels.

CONCLUSION

In summary, riboceine increases circulating GHS, which leads to improved sexual function during sleep deprivation.

Drying Kinetics and Quality of Whole, Halved, and Pulverized Tiger Nut Tubers (Cyperus esculentus)

The objective of this study was to provide the optimum drying conditions to produce high-quality dried tiger nuts using hot-air drying. For this, we evaluated the effect of the whole, halved, and pulverized tiger nuts and air temperature (50 to 70°C) on the drying kinetics and quality of tiger nuts. The drying process generally followed a constant rate in the first 3 hours and a falling regime. We found the optimum drying conditions for tiger nuts to be crushed before convective hot-air drying at a temperature of 70°C. At this optimum condition, the predicted drying time, vitamin C content, reducing sugars, browning, brightness, redness, and yellowness was 780 min, 22.9 mg/100 mg dry weight, 157.01 mg/100 g dry weight, 0.21 Abs unit, 56.97, 1.6, and 17.0, respectively. The tiger nut's reducing sugars increased from the 130.8 mg/100 dry weight in the raw tiger nuts to between 133.11 and 158.18 mg/100 dry weight after drying. The vitamin C degradation rate was highest in the uncut tiger nuts (32-35%) while in the halved and the pulverized samples, it was between 12 and 17%. The crushed samples' effective moisture removal increased between 5.6- and 6.75-fold at the different air temperatures than that of the intact tiger nuts. The activation energy was 18.17 kJ/mol for the unbroken, 14.78 kJ/mol for the halved, and 26.61 kJ/mol for the pulverized tiger nut samples. The model MR = 0.997 exp(−0.02t^1.266) + 0.0000056t was the most suitable thin-layer drying model among the models examined for convective hot-air drying of tiger nuts. It is advisable to crush tiger nut before hot-air drying to produce better-quality flour for making milk beverages, cakes, biscuits, bread, porridge, and tiger nut-based breakfast cereals.

Aqueous extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit peels influence copulatory behavior and maintain testicular integrity in sexually mature male Sprague-Dawley rats: Pro-fertility evaluation and histomorphometry evidence

Tetrapleura tetraptera (TT) has been used as a spice, dietary supplement and medicine for various ailments. This study evaluate influence of Tetrapleura tetraptera extract on testis and copulatory behavior in sexually mature male rats. Thirty-two male and sixty-four virgin female rats weighing 150-200 g were used for this study. Male rats randomly divided into four groups of eight (n = 8) rats each. Group A: Control given 2 ml distilled water, group B, C and D received 50, 300 and 700 mg/kg bwt TT for 56 days through oral gavage. The female rats were used for fertility test. Testicular histology, histomorphology, copulatory behavior, sperm parameters, testosterone (TET), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and fertility test were investigated. Tetrapleura tetraptera significantly increase sperm count, motility, normal morphology, daily sperm production, efficiency of sperm production, sperm (average path velocity, straight line velocity and curvilinear velocity), TET, LH, FHS, SOD, GPx, CAT, number of pregnant females, number of fetuses, seminiferous diameter, epithelium thickness and decrease abnormal morphology, seminiferous height, tubule lumen and MDA across the group as compared with control group. Improved testicular histological integrity, sexual behaviour and libido by increased frequencies of mount, intromission, ejaculation and ejaculatory latency. Latencies of mount, intromission and post-ejaculation were significantly reduced. Also, observed increase spermatocytes and spermatids showed no significant difference in spermatogonia cell counts. Tetrapleura tetraptera therefore, enhance steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and improved testicular histological integrity and boost sexual competence in male rats.

Effect of Herbal Medicine on Fertility Potential in Experimental Animals - an Update Review

Introduction:

Sexual function greatly affects the quality of life. Any problem which affects satisfaction is considered sexual dysfunction.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to investigate how recently used of complementary and alternative medicines has increased in treating infertility.

Methods:

Study has descriptive character based on searched and analyzed facts from the published articles in scientific journals.

Results:

The majority of the studies done for the detection of the efficacy of medicinal plants in treating male infertility were done on experimental animals with few clinical studies. However, there is still a need for more studies to have certain results, as conflicting results were noted in different studies done on the effect of the same medicinal plant on spermatogenesis. It might be referred it to the absence of standardization among research models, the difference in extracts, administration route, doses and how long did the experiment last added to differences in the part of the plant used and plant collection. This review summarized the finding of many studies that studied the effect of different medicinal herbs on the testes, epididymis, sperm and prostate parameters, testosterone level and steroidogenesis, erection/ejaculation function and libido.

Conclusion:

The protective effect might be due to OLE competence to antagonize the oxidative stress and LPO. Londium suffruticosum I. suffruticosum leaf extract was administered to sub-fertile male rats, subfertility was induced by carbendazim, it resulted in increased spermatogenesis, increased sperm counts, lessened sperm agglutination by preserving normal pH in testicular microenvironment, increasing the testicular oxidative biomarkers, SOD, and CAT. It was found that the main active components of the extract are alkaloids, steroidal lactones and flavonoids.

Cyperus esculentus L. (tigernut) mitigates high salt diet-associated testicular toxicity in Wistar rats by targeting testicular steroidogenesis, oxidative stress and inflammation

High salt diet (HSD) impairs testicular function via oxidative stress. Cyperus esculentus contains antioxidants and improves testicular function. We investigated the protective effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus on testicular function in HSD-fed Wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (125-135 g) 8-9 weeks old were divided into five groups (n = 5): control, HSD-fed (8 % NaCl in feed), extract-treated (500 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ), HSD-fed +500 mg kg^-1  day^-1 of extract and HSD-fed +1,000 mg kg^-1  day^-1 of extract groups. Treatment lasted for 6 weeks. HSD decreased (p < .05) sperm parameters and serum reproductive hormones levels, while Cyperus esculentus extract improved (p < .05) sperm parameters, and serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in HSD-fed rats. The extract upregulated intra-testicular testosterone level and activities of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-HSD, downregulated malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, and exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, upregulation of activities of enzymatic antioxidants and increase in total antioxidant capacity in testes of HSD-fed rats. The extract at both doses improved Johnsen's score, Leydig and Sertoli cell counts and seminiferous tubular diameter in HSD-fed rats. Cyperus esculentus exhibited a dose-dependent mitigation of HSD-associated testicular dysfunction by targeting testicular steroidogenesis, oxidative stress and inflammation.

Promising role of medicinal plants in the regulation and management of male erectile dysfunction

Male erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to incompetency to reaching and retaining adequate penile tumescence for sexual intercourse. Over 152 million men globally suffer from ED and by 2025, the number of affected individuals is anticipated to be around 322 million. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies such as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, alprostadil, penile prosthesis surgery, and hormonal replacement are available for management and recuperation of ED. Nevertheless, such therapies are reported to have adverse effects as well as life-threatening. Accordingly, diversity of medicinal plant species and bioactive active compounds are preferred as therapeutic options because they are natural, abundant, available, low-cost and cause fewer or no side effects. This current review will emphasise the aetiology, risk factors, mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of ED, treatments of ED as well as their side effects. It also provides medicinal plants that are proven effective in vivo and in vitro for the mitigation and treatment of male ED. This knowledge could be used in the future in drug discovery for the development of more natural drugs with no side effects.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus L. (tigernut) on lead acetate-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats

AIM

Lead acetate impairs testicular function by enhancing testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis. Cyperus esculentus possesses antioxidants and has shown great improvement of testicular function. This study investigated the protective effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus on lead acetate-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-five male Wistar rats (180-195 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 5) namely: Normal control (NC), Lead control (PbC) (20 mg/kg b.w. i.p.), C. esculentus-treated (CE) (500 mg/kg b.w p.o.), Pb + CE(500) (20 mg/kg of lead and 500 mg/kg of extract) and Pb + CE(1000) (20 mg/kg of lead and 1000 mg/kg of extract). Administration lasted for 21 days.

RESULTS

Sperm count, motility, viability, serum testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone, Johnsen's score, Leydig cell count, Sertoli cell count, testicular testosterone, B-cell lymphoma protein-2 (Bcl-2), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 A1, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17β-HSD, enzymatic antioxidant activities and total antioxidant capacity were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in PbC compared with NC. These parameters however increased significantly (p < 0.05) in Pb + CE(500) and Pb + CE(1000) compared with PbC. Lead acetate upregulated (p < 0.05) testicular malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 levels. All these parameters were downregulated (p < 0.05) in Pb + CE(500) and Pb + CE(1000) in comparison with PbC.

CONCLUSION

C. esculentus exhibited a dose-dependent mitigation of lead acetate-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.