Therapeutic exploration of polyherbal formulation against letrozole induced PCOS rats: A mechanistic approach

Objective

This study aimed to develop an effective alternative medicine with multi potential herbs against polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in rats induced by letrozole treatment.

Materials and method

Polyherbal syrup was prepared with a combination of S. asoca bark, G. sylvestre leaves, P. daemia aerial parts, C. zeylanium stem bark, C. bonduc seeds, and W. somnifera roots ethanolic extract. In vitro cell viability study, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) gene expression assay were carried out on the Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) cell line. For the PCOS induction letrozole (1 mg/kg p. o.) was given for 21 consecutive days. The PCOS induction was confirmed by measuring estrus irregularity, insulin resistance by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and hyperandrogenism by measuring serum total testosterone level 21 days after completion of letrozole treatment. After induction of PCOS, metformin (155 mg/kg p. o.), and polyherbal syrup (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg p. o.) were administered for further 28 days. The treatment efficacy was measured by measuring serum lipid profile, fasting insulin level, sex hormones level, ovarian steroidogenic enzymes, ovarian tissue insulin receptor, AMPK, and GLUT4 protein expression levels, and histomorphological studies. The post-treatment effect was confirmed by reproductive performance studies.

Results

Letrozole-induced PCOS rats showed significant estrus irregularity, abnormal sex hormones levels, and hyperandrogenism indicated by showing increased free androgenic index and decreased sex hormones binding globulin (SHBG) level. The insulin resistance in PCOS rats was indicated by increased fasting glucose levels with impaired glucose clearance in the OGT test. Homeostasis Model Assessment Index of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) increased level, also decreases INSR, GLUT4, and AMPK mRNA expression in ovarian cells confirming the insulin resistance in PCOS rats. Ovarian histology in PCOS rats also showed many follicular cysts, atretic follicles, and the absence of corpus luteum. The administration of polyherbal syrup, in a dose-dependent manner, effectively restored these alterations. The treatment of polyherbal formulation 400 mg/kg possesses highly significant efficacy over the treatment of metformin in PCOS rats. It mainly acts by reducing peripheral and ovarian hyperandrogenism and improves insulin sensitivity via activating the insulin receptor and AMP-activated kinase-mediated transcription and translation of GLUT4 from the cytoplasm to the ovarian membrane improves glucose uptake and promotes the follicular development and ovulation. The higher fertility rate, delivery index, and survival of delivered pups confirm the broader and superior efficacy of PCOS. These beneficial actions are mainly attributable to the formulation's inclusion of the key secondary metabolites flavonoids and phytosterols. In conclusion, the prepared polyherbal syrup was found to be the safest and most effective alternative medicine for both endocrinal and metabolic complications of PCOS women.

Low-level and combined exposure to environmental metal elements affects male reproductive outcomes: Prospective MARHCS study in population of college students in Chongqing, China

BACKGROUND

Male fertility has shown a continuously declining tendency for decades. Over exposure to metal/metalloid elements has been proposed as associated with reproductive impairment. However, the hazard profile remained unclear in general public experiencing low-level and combined metal exposure.

METHODS

Based on the MARHCS cohort in Chongqing, China, 796 college students were recruited from June 2013 and 666 subjects were followed up next year. At each phase, semen and blood samples were collected for an assessment of semen quality and six sex hormones levels. Eighteen urinary metal/metalloid elements were quantified by ICP-MS as internal exposure biomarkers. Cluster analysis was conducted to characterize reproductive outcomes in the subgroups for different overall estimated exposure levels. Effects of each metal/metalloid element were analyzed using multiple statistical strategies: single-element mixed model, multiple-elements model and self before-after comparison design.

RESULTS

The urine concentration for 18 metal/metalloid elements was at a typically lower level (far away from the exposure limits) and positively associated with each other. After adjustment of the potential confounders, a decrease of 11.53% (95% CI: -18.61, -3.84%) and 10.84% (95% CI: -17.93, -3.14%) in spermatid morphology was observed in the highest quantile groups of vanadium (V) and nickel (Ni), respectively. Urinary silver (Ag) was dose-dependent associated with an increase in total sperm number (6.91%, 95% CI: 1.14, 13.00%), sperm concentration (16.38%, 95% CI: 5.15, 28.81%) and semen volume (23.73%, 95% CI: 10.46, 38.60%). Further, hormone testosterone presented a significant decrease in subgroup with higher overall estimated exposure and a stable negative association with lithium (Li). The above relationships remained significant across different statistical strategies (all p values <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study provided new evidences that exposure to metal/metalloid elements potentially exert bidirectional influences on semen quality at a relatively low level. And serum testosterone appears as a vulnerable index for metal exposure.

Beneficial effects of Salvia officinalis essential oil on vanadium-induced testicular injury, DNA damage and histological alterations in Wistar rats

Vanadium has been shown to catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species. Since free radical production and lipid peroxidation are potentially important mediators in testicular physiology and pathophysiology, the present study was conducted to elucidate vanadium-induced oxidative damage in rat testis and the ameliorative role of Salvia officinalis essential oil (SEO) against the adverse effects of this heavy metal. Adult male Wistar rats were treated daily during 10 days either with ammonium metavanadate (5 mg/kg bw, intraperitoneally), SEO (15 mg/kg bw, orally) or their combination. A group of rats receiving daily a saline solution served as a negative control. Vanadium treatment induced a significant decrease in body and reproductive organ weights, serum testosterone level and sperm number and motility. An increase in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation as well as a marked inhibition in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the testes and seminal vesicles indicated the occurrence of oxidative stress after vanadium toxicity. Histopathological changes in testis and seminal vesicles were also observed following vanadium administration. However, co-administration of SEO to vanadium-treated rats resulted in an appreciable improvement of these parameters, emphasizing the therapeutic effects of SEO. It can be suggested that SEO mitigates vanadium-induced reproductive damage due to its antioxidant capacity. Thus, we can hypothesize that SEO supplementation could protect against vanadium poisoning.

Concentrations of vanadium in urine and seminal plasma in relation to semen quality parameters, spermatozoa DNA damage and serum hormone levels

Widespread human exposure to vanadium has been well documented. Vanadium exposure was reported to induce male reproductive toxicity in toxicological studies, yet human epidemiologic studies are lacking. Here we determined the associations between environmental exposure to vanadium and semen quality, spermatozoa DNA damage and serum reproductive hormones. Concentrations of vanadium in seminal plasma and repeated urine samples were determined among 764 men recruited from a reproductive medicine centre. Associations of vanadium concentrations with semen quality parameters (n = 764), DNA integrity measures (n = 404) and serum reproductive hormones (n = 381) were assessed by logistic or linear regression models with adjustment for potential confounders. Significant positive dose-response relationships were observed between vanadium concentrations in seminal plasma and tail length and serum estradiol, as well as odds ratios for a below-reference-value sperm concentration; whereas inverse relationships between seminal plasma vanadium with total testosterone (T) and free T (all p values for trends <0.05) were observed. These relationships were maintained after adjusting for seminal plasma concentrations of other elements (i.e., arsenic, cadmium, copper, selenium, or tin). No significant associations was revealed between urinary vanadium concentrations and semen quality, spermatozoa DNA integrity and reproductive hormones. Our findings suggested that elevated vanadium exposure may be adversely associated with male reproductive health, and that seminal plasma vanadium may be a more direct exposure biomarker for the male reproductive system than urinary vanadium.

14-Day Toxicity Studies of Tetravalent and Pentavalent Vanadium Compounds in Harlan Sprague Dawley Rats and B6C3F1/N Mice via Drinking Water Exposure

BACKGROUND

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) performed short-term toxicity studies of tetra- and pentavalent vanadium compounds, vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate, respectively. Due to widespread human exposure and a lack of chronic toxicity data, there is concern for human health following oral exposure to soluble vanadium compounds.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the potency and toxicological profile of vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate using a short-term in vivo toxicity assay.

METHODS

Adult male and female Harlan Sprague Dawley (HSD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice, 5 per group, were exposed to vanadyl sulfate or sodium metavanadate, via drinking water, at concentrations of 0, 125, 250, 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/L for 14 days. Water consumption, body weights and clinical observations were recorded throughout the study; organ weights were collected at study termination.

RESULTS

Lower water consumption, up to -80% at 2000 mg/L, was observed at most exposure concentrations for animals exposed to either vanadyl sulfate or sodium metavanadate and was accompanied by decreased body weights at the highest concentrations for both compounds. Animals in the 1000 and 2000 mg/L sodium metavanadate groups were removed early due to overt toxicity. Thinness was observed in high-dose animals exposed to either compound, while lethargy and abnormal gait were only observed in vanadate-exposed animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on clinical observations and overt toxicity, sodium metavanadate appears to be more toxic than vanadyl sulfate. Differential toxicity cannot be explained by differences in total vanadium intake, based on water consumption, and may be due to differences in disposition or mechanism of toxicity.

Reversal of vanadium-induced toxicity by combination therapy of tiferron and α-tocopherol in rat during pregnancy and their fetuses

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of tiferron (sodium 4, 5-dihydroxybenzene-1, 3-disulfonate) per se and combination with α-tocopherol against vanadium induced developmental toxicity. Vanadium, as vanadyl sulphate pentahydrate, was evaluated for embryotoxic/fetotoxic effect in female albino rats (Sprague Dawley).

METHODS

The compound was administered by gavage to pregnant animals at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day, p.o. on day 6-15 of pregnancy (organogenesis). Tiferron was given on day 16-18 as chelating agent. Cesarean sections were performed on day 19 of gestation.

RESULTS

Maternal toxicity was observed, the level of sugar in the blood decreased, while we observed an increase in serum protein, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum transaminase activity. Level of lipid peroxidation showed enhances value in fetal and maternal liver. Vanadium induced inhibition in glycogen contents. Protein contents were decreased in vital organs where as increased in uterus and placenta. There was increased activity of acid phosphatase with the concomitant decline in alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase and succnic dehydrogenase after vanadium intoxication. Toxicant caused severe alteration in histopathological observation of maternal and fetal liver, kidney, uterus and placenta proving its toxic consequences at cellular level. Tiferron along with α-tocopherol dramatically reversed alterations of all variables towards control rather than individual treatment.

CONCLUSION

The combination therapy of tiferron and α-tocopherol played a beneficial role in reducing vanadium induced developmental toxicity.