1
|
V J, M S, Wani A, Ahmad SF, Nadeem A, Sharma A, Ahmed SSSJ. Pharmacoscreening, molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanics of inermin from Panax ginseng: a crucial molecule inhibiting exosomal protein target associated with coronary artery disease progression. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16481. [PMID: 38077444 PMCID: PMC10710165 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Exosomes, microvesicles, carry and release several vital molecules across cells, tissues, and organs. Epicardial adipose tissue exosomes are critical in the development and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). It is hypothesized that exosomes may transport causative molecules from inflamed tissue and deliver to the target tissue and progress CAD. Thus, identifying and inhibiting the CAD-associated proteins that are being transported to other cells via exosomes will help slow the progression of CAD. Methods This study uses a systems biological approach that integrates differential gene expression in the CAD, exosomal cargo assessment, protein network construction, and functional enrichment to identify the crucial exosomal cargo protein target. Meanwhile, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) screening of Panax ginseng-derived compounds was conducted and then docked against the protein target to identify potential inhibitors and then subjected to molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) to understand the behavior of the protein-ligand complex till 100 nanoseconds. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) calculation was performed on the ligand with the highest affinity with the target. Results Through the systems biological approach, Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 protein (SMAD2) was determined as a potential target that linked with PI3K-Akt signaling, Ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, and the focal adhesion pathway. Further, screening of 190 Panax ginseng compounds, 27 showed drug-likeness properties. Inermin, a phytochemical showed good docking with -5.02 kcal/mol and achieved stability confirmation with SMAD2 based on MDS when compared to the known CAD drugs. Additionally, DFT analysis of inermin showed high chemical activity that significantly contributes to effective target binding. Overall, our computational study suggests that inermin could act against SMAD2 and may aid in the management of CAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janakiraman V
- Muti-omics and Drug Discovery Lab, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettnad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sudhan M
- Muti-omics and Drug Discovery Lab, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettnad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Abubakar Wani
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sheikh F. Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Nadeem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashutosh Sharma
- Centre of Bioengineering, NatProLab, Plant Innovation Lab, School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Shiek S. S. J. Ahmed
- Muti-omics and Drug Discovery Lab, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettnad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kopalli SR, Yoo SK, Kim B, Kim SK, Koppula S. Apigenin Isolated from Carduus crispus Protects against H 2O 2-Induced Oxidative Damage and Spermatogenic Expression Changes in GC-2spd Sperm Cells. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27061777. [PMID: 35335140 PMCID: PMC8955133 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular oxidative stress is one of the most common factors underlying male infertility. Welted thistle, Carduus crispus Linn., and its bioactive principles are attracting scientific interest in treating male reproductive dysfunctions. Here, the protective effects of apigenin isolated from C. crispus against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and dysregulation in spermatogenesis associated parameters in testicular sperm cells was investigated. Cell viabilities, ROS scavenging effects, and spermatogenic associated molecular expressions were measured by MTT, DCF-DA, Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. A single peak with 100% purity of apigenin was obtained in HPLC conditions. Apigenin treated alone (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 µM) did not exhibit cytotoxicity, but inhibited the H2O2-induced cellular damage and elevated ROS levels significantly (p < 0.05 at 5, 10 and 20 µM) and dose-dependently. Further, H2O2-induced down-regulation of antioxidant (glutathione S-transferases m5, glutathione peroxidase 4, and peroxiredoxin 3) and spermatogenesis-associated (nectin-2 and phosphorylated-cAMP response element-binding protein) molecular expression in GC-2spd cells were attenuated by apigenin at both protein and mRNA levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study showed that apigenin isolated from C. crispus might be an effective agent that can protect ROS-induced testicular dysfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sung-Kwang Yoo
- Ottugi Food Co., Ltd., Anyang-si 14060, Gyeonggi-do, Korea;
| | - Bokyung Kim
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju 27381, Korea;
| | - Si-Kwan Kim
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27381, Korea;
| | - Sushruta Koppula
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27381, Korea;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jeremy M, Gurusubramanian G, Roy VK, Kharwar RK. Co-treatment of testosterone and estrogen mitigates heat-induced testicular dysfunctions in a rat model. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 214:106011. [PMID: 34688845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.106011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The two gonadal steroid hormones, testosterone and estrogen, regulate spermatogenesis by proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of testicular cells. It has been reported that heat stress or increased scrotal temperature impairs spermatogenesis in many mammals. Moreover, testicular heat stress has also been shown to suppress testosterone and estrogen biosynthesis. Furthermore, it is well known that testosterone and estrogen are important for testicular activity. Therefore, we hypothesised that exogenous testosterone and estrogen, alone or in combination, might alleviate the testicular activity in a heat-stressed rat model. To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first report of the exogenous treatment of both testosterone and estrogen in the heat-stressed rat. Our results showed that a combined testosterone and estrogen treatment significantly increased sperm concentration. The histopathological analysis also exhibited a normal histoarchitecture in the combined treatment group along with decreased oxidative stress. The improved spermatogenesis in the combined treatment group was also supported by the increase in PCNA, GCNA, tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, and Johnsen score in the combined treatment group. Furthermore, the combined treatment also increased the expression of Bcl2, pStat3, and active caspase-3 and decreased expression of Bax. Thus, increased proliferation, apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers, along with improved histology in the combined treatment group suggest that estrogen and testosterone synergistically act to stimulate spermatogenesis by increasing proliferation and differentiation of germ cells and may also remove the heat-induced damaged germ cells by apoptosis. Overall, the final mechanism of testosterone- and estrogen-mediated improvement of testicular activity could be attributed to amelioration of oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vikas Kumar Roy
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, 796004, Mizoram, India.
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kharwar
- Department of Zoology, Kutir Post Graduate College, Chakkey, Jaunpur, 222 146, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhao Y, Wang Y, Guo F, Lu B, Sun J, Wang J, Ren Z. iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of sperm reveals candidate proteins that affect the quality of spermatozoa from boars on plateaus. Proteome Sci 2021; 19:9. [PMID: 34330296 PMCID: PMC8323236 DOI: 10.1186/s12953-021-00177-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tibetan pigs (TP) exhibit heritable adaptations to their hypoxic environments as a result of natural selection. However, candidate proteins that affect the sperm quality of boars on plateaus have not yet been clearly investigated. Methods In this study, to reveal the candidate proteins that affect the quality of spermatozoa of boars on plateaus, we analyzed the sperm quality using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. We also compared the proteomes of sperm proteomes between TP and Yorkshire pigs (YP) raised at high altitudes using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) in combination with the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) proteomic method, and confirmed the relative expression levels of the four proteins by western blotting. Results The sperm quality of the TP was superior to that of the YP on plateaus. Of the 1,555 quantified proteins, 318 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the DEPs were predominantly associated with the sorbitol metabolic process, removal of superoxide radicals, cellular response to superoxide, response to superoxide and regulation of the mitotic spindle assembly. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were mainly enriched in pathways involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, glutathione metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and estrogen signaling. Based on the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, we identified 8 candidate proteins (FN1, EGF, HSP90B1, CFL1, GPX4, NDUFA6, VDAC2, and CP) that might play important roles and affect the sperm quality of boars on plateaus. Moreover, the relative expression levels of four proteins (CFL1, EGF, FN1, and GPX4) were confirmed by western blot analysis. Conclusions Our study revealed 8 candidate proteins (FN1, EGF, HSP90B1, CFL1, GPX4, NDUFA6, VDAC2, and CP) that affect the sperm quality of boar on plateaus and provide a reference for further studies on improving sperm quality and the molecular breeding of boars on plateaus. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12953-021-00177-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Yaomei Wang
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Feipeng Guo
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Bo Lu
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Jiale Sun
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Jianzhou Wang
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Zili Ren
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Amelioration of heat stress-induced damage to testes and sperm quality. Theriogenology 2020; 158:84-96. [PMID: 32947064 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Heat stress (HS) occurs when temperatures exceed a physiological range, overwhelming compensatory mechanisms. Most mammalian testes are ∼4-5 °C cooler than core body temperature. Systemic HS or localized warming of the testes affects all types of testicular cells, although germ cells are more sensitive than either Sertoli or Leydig cells. Increased testicular temperature has deleterious effects on sperm motility, morphology and fertility, with effects related to extent and duration of the increase. The major consequence of HS on testis is destruction of germ cells by apoptosis, with pachytene spermatocytes, spermatids and epididymal sperm being the most susceptible. In addition to the involvement of various transcription factors, HS triggers production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause apoptosis of germ cells and DNA damage. Effects of HS on testes can be placed in three categories: testicular cells, sperm quality, and ability of sperm to fertilize oocytes and support development. Various substances have been given to animals, or added to semen, in attempts to ameliorate heat stress-induced damage to testes and sperm. They have been divided into various groups according to their composition or activity, as follows: amino acids, antibiotics, antioxidant cocktails, enzyme inhibitors, hormones, minerals, naturally produced substances, phenolic compounds, traditional herbal medicines, and vitamins. Herein, we summarized those substances according to their actions to mitigate HS' three main mechanisms: oxidative stress, germ cell apoptosis, and sperm quality deterioration and testicular damage. The most promising approaches are to use substances that overcome these mechanisms, namely reducing testicular oxidative stress, reducing or preventing apoptosis and promoting recovery of testicular tissue and restoring sperm quality. Although some of these products have considerable promise, further studies are needed to clarify their ability to preserve or restore fertility following HS; these may include more advanced sperm analysis techniques, e.g. sperm epigenome or proteome, or direct assessment of fertilization and development, including in vitro fertilization or breeding data (either natural service or artificial insemination).
Collapse
|
6
|
Atta MS, Farrag FA, Almadaly EA, Ghoneim HA, Hafez AS, Al Jaouni SK, Mousa SA, El-Far AH. Transcriptomic and biochemical effects of pycnogenol in ameliorating heat stress-related oxidative alterations in rats. J Therm Biol 2020; 93:102683. [PMID: 33077109 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102683] [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: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heat stress is a condition that is due to extreme heat exposure. It occurs when the body cannot keep its temperature healthy in response to a hot climate and associated with oxidative stress. Testicular hyperthermia can induce apoptosis of sperm cells, affect sperm production and decrease sperm concentration, leading to sperm disorder, for this reason, we examined the protective impact of pycnogenol that it has a wide range of biological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities against the oxidative alterations that happen in testicular and brain tissues due to heat stress in rats. STUDY DESIGN Forty-eight Wistar male rats, approximately around 6 weeks age were allocated randomly into four groups (12 in each) of control, HS (subjected to heat stress and supplemented orally with 50 mg of pycnogenol/kg b. w./day dissolved in saline for 21 days), and pycnogenol (rats supplemented orally with 50 mg of pycnogenol/kg b. w./day dissolved in saline for 21 days). RESULTS Data revealed a promising role of pycnogenol as an antioxidant, natural product to successfully reverse the heat-induced oxidative alterations in testicular and brain tissues of rats through significant upregulation of superoxide dismutase-2, catalase, reduced glutathione, and anti-apoptotic gene, while downregulating pro-apoptotic, and heat shock protein70. Pycnogenol treatment also reversed the reproductive hormone level and spermatogenesis to their normal values. CONCLUSION Pycnogenol as a natural protective supplement could recover these heat stress-induced oxidative changes in testes and hypothalamus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa S Atta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt.
| | - Foad A Farrag
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt.
| | - Essam A Almadaly
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt.
| | - Hanan A Ghoneim
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22511, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed S Hafez
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, 81528, Egypt.
| | - Soad K Al Jaouni
- Hematology/Pediatric Oncology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital and Scientific Chair of Yousef Abdullatif Jameel of Prophetic Medicine Application, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jaddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Shaker A Mousa
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA.
| | - Ali H El-Far
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22511, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Duzhong Butiansu Prescription Improves Heat Stress-Induced Spermatogenic Dysfunction by Regulating Sperm Formation and Heat Stress Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:6723204. [PMID: 32184896 PMCID: PMC7063193 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6723204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Duzhong Butiansu (DZBTS) prescription contains many traditional Chinese medicines and has been shown to have a curative effect on male fertility. However, the efficacy and mechanism of DZBTS in the treatment of male infertility induced by heat stress have not been reported. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the effect and mechanism of DZBTS on spermatogenic function of a heat stress model in rats. Methods Male Wistar rats (280–320 g) were given different doses of DZBTS (0.4853 g/kg/d or 0.9707 g/kg/d), Shengjing capsule (0.56 g/kg/d), or double distilled water for 15 days. A 43°C hot water bath for 30 minutes was used to stimulate the testis of rats. Sperm count, sperm motility, the organ index of kidney and gonadal organs, serum sex hormone levels, and serum oxidising reaction index were measured. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphology of the testis and kidney. The expression of Hsp70 in testes was observed by immunofluorescence. The changes in heat stress, reproductive-related protein, and mRNA were measured by western blot assay and RT-qPCR. Results Heat stress downregulated the levels of sex hormone (P < 0.05 or P < 0.05 or P < 0.05 or P < 0.05 or P < 0.05 or P < 0.05 or P < 0.05 or Conclusions Our results for the first time have found that DZBTS can improve spermatogenesis disorder in a heat stress model in rats, which may be mainly by regulating AR, sperm regulatory protein CREB1, and the HSF/Hsp70 signaling pathway to decrease oxidative stress.
Collapse
|
8
|
Kamel MEF, Mohammad HMF, Maurice C, Hagras MM. Ginseng Nanoparticles Protect Against Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.32527/2019/101397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
9
|
Kopalli SR, Cha KM, Hwang SY, Jeong MS, Kim SK. Korean Red Ginseng ( Panax ginseng Meyer) with enriched Rg3 ameliorates chronic intermittent heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats via multifunctional approach. J Ginseng Res 2019; 43:135-142. [PMID: 30662302 PMCID: PMC6323164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Panax ginseng Meyer, known as Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), is one of the important age-old traditional herbs used in boosting libido and improving male fertility. In this study, the effects of Rg3-enriched KRG extract (KGC04P) on heat stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats was evaluated. METHODS Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were divided into four groups (n = 10): normal control (NC), heat-stressed control (HC), heat-stressed plus KGC04P-100 mg/kg (HK100), and heat-stressed plus KGC04P-200 mg/kg (HK200) groups. Starting 1 week prior to heat stress, animals were administered orally with KGC04P (100 and 200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet and continued for 25 weeks. Heat stress was induced to HC, HK100, and HK200 groups by intermittently exposing the animals to high temperatures (32 ± 1°C, 2 h/day). After 6 months, animals were euthanized under general anesthesia with carbon dioxide and evaluated for various parameters in serum and testicular tissue by using Western blotting, biochemical kits, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Significant (p < 0.05) alterations in several parameters, such as body/organ weight, sperm kinematics, and lipid metabolism marker levels, in the serum and testis of rats were observed. Further, the expression of testicular antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, sex hormonal receptors, and spermatogenesis-related genes were also affected significantly (p < 0.05) in the heat-stressed group. However, KGC04P prevented the heat stress-induced changes in rats significantly (p < 0.05) at both concentrations. CONCLUSION KGC04P attenuated heat stress-induced testicular damage by a multifunctional approach and can be developed as an excellent therapeutic agent for hyperthermia-mediated male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyu-Min Cha
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seock-Yeon Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Science and Industry, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Sik Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
| | - Si-Kwan Kim
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|