Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on aluminum chloride-induced changes in behavior, biochemical parameters, and spermatogenesis of Sprague-Dawley rats

Nanostructured biloalbuminosomes loaded with berberine and berberrubine for Alleviating heavy Metal-Induced male infertility in rats

Despite the remarkable biological effects of berberine (BBR), particularly on fertility, its bioavailability is low. This study aims to test the effectiveness of novel nanostructured biloalbuminosomes (BILS) of BBR and its metabolite berberrubine (M1) in treatment of testicular and prostatic lesions. M1 was semi-synthesized from BBR using microwave-assisted reaction. The solvent evaporation method was used to prepare BBR-BILS and M1-BILS by three different concentrations of sodium cholate (SC) or glycocholate (SG), along with the incorporation of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The prepared BILS were fully characterized. Male infertility was induced by cadmium (Cd) at 5 mg/kg and lead (Pb) at 20 mg/kg contaminated water for 90 days, followed by treatment with BBR, M1, and their BILS (BBR-BILS and M1-BILS) for 45 days. Blood male infertility markers, testicular and prostatic oxidative stress status, autophagy, inflammation, along with testicular and prostatic concentrations of Cd and Pb, and histopathology of both tested tissues were determined using standardized protocols. The optimal BBR-BILS and M1-BILS nano-preparations, containing 30 mg SC, were chosen based on the best characterization properties of the preparations. Both nano-preparations improved heavy metals-induced testicular and prostatic deformities, as they reduced Bax and elevated Bcl-2 expressions in both tissues. Moreover, they activated the mTOR/PI3K pathway with a marked reduction in AMPK and activated LC-3II protein levels. Consequently, testicular and prostatic architecture and functions were improved. This study is the first to report the preparation of BBR and M1 BILS nano-preparations and proved their superior efficacy compared to free drugs against testicular and prostatic deformities by attenuating oxidative stress-induced excessive autophagy, offering a new hope to manage male infertility.

Aqueous extract of bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) ameliorates testicular toxicity induced by aluminum chloride in rats

Background and Aim

Human exposure to aluminum is inevitable, and one of the most adverse health effects of aluminum is a decrease in male fertility rates. Therefore, this study investigated the ameliorative effects of an aqueous extract from Laurus nobilis-bay leaf (BL) on aluminum chloride (AlCl₃)-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6, each group): The control (group 1) received normal saline; Group 2 animals were intraperitoneally administered with 30 mg/kg body weight (BW) AlCl₃; and Groups 3 and 4 were co-administered AlCl₃ with 125 or 250 mg/kg BW of BL extract, respectively, for 21 days. Testes, epididymis, and blood samples were collected. Testicular plasma enzyme activity was measured using a spectrophotometric assay, while concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results

There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in testicular enzyme activity in the group treated with AlCl₃. However, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in testicular enzyme activity in groups co-administered AlCl₃ and BL extract as compared with that in control. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in testicular nitrite concentration in the AlCl₃-treated group, whereas the administration of BL extract significantly (p < 0.05) decreased nitrite concentration in Groups 3 and 4. Furthermore, the administration of BL extracts increased sperm count and improved the morphology of the testes in AlCl₃-treated rats. Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, tannin, glycosides, saponin, anthraquinones, and steroids were identified in BL extract, with alkaloids and glycosides being the most abundant.

Conclusion

Aqueous extract from BL ameliorated the toxic effect of AlCl₃ and exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting nitrite production while improving sperm count and morphology in AlCl₃-treated rats. The bioactivity of the extract may be attributed to the presence of a wide range of phytochemicals. Therefore, BL aqueous extract could be a promising source of novel compounds with male fertility-promoting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Caloric Vestibular Stimulation Induced Enhancement of Behavior and Neurotrophic Factors in Chronic Mild Stress Induced Rats

Background: Caloric Vestibular Stimulation (CVS) is a non-invasive technique for stimulating the vestibular system. The vestibular system maintains equilibrium and acts as a moderator of mood, emotional control, and stress levels. Stress is a disruption of psychological, behavioral, and physiological homeostasis that affects people of all ages in today's world. Thus, modest therapeutic procedures like vestibular stimulation can be practiced to effectively reduce stress. Hence, the purpose of the study was to determine the effect of vestibular stimulation on improving behavioral alterations and neurotrophic factors in rats exposed to Chronic Mild Stress (CMS). Methodology: The study employed 24 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats divided into four groups (n = 6). CMS was induced for 28 days with a variety of stimuli. Bilateral CVS with hot water (temperature ≈40°C) was started on Day 14 of CMS and continued for 15 days. On days 1, 15, and 28, locomotor activity (LA), wire grip strength (WGS), fall off time (FT), and immobilization time (IT) were measured, and the data were analyzed statistically. Additionally, neurotrophic factors such as Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Glial cell line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) were observed in rats' hippocampus. Results: On days 15 and 28, the CMS-induced group showed a significant reduction in LA, WGS, FT and IT in comparison to the control group. On day 28, the CVS-induced group demonstrated a significant increase in WGS, FT and IT when compared to the CMS group. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that animals subjected to CMS had decreased BDNF and GDNF expression compared to the control group, indicating neuronal dysfunction in the hippocampus in response to stress. However, therapy with CVS increased BDNF and GDNF expression, thereby regenerating damaged hippocampus nerve terminals. Conclusion: The findings of the current study revealed that CVS is a safe and simple neuroprotective treatment against stress and a promising non-invasive technique for overcoming the motor symptoms associated with it. The findings may pave the way for future research and therapeutic applications of CVS for stress management.