Kaliandra honey improves testosterone levels, diameter and epithelial thickness of seminiferous tubule of white rat (Rattus norvegicus) due to malnutrition through stimulation of HSP70

Protective effect of curcumin on testicular damage caused by carbon tetrachloride exposure in rats

Context Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) is a chemical that is still widely used in industry and has been shown to cause structural defects in rat testicles through oxidative stress. Aims In our study, the effect of curcumin on CCl4 -mediated testicular damage was investigated. Methods Twenty-four adult Wistar albino male rats weighing 300-350g were divided into four groups: control group (olive oil was applied by gavage every consecutive day for 3weeks); curcumin and CCl4 +curcumin groups (200mg/kg curcumin dissolved in olive oil was given by gavage once a day, every consecutive day for 3weeks); and CCl4 and CCl4 +curcumin groups (0.5mL/kg CCl4 was dissolved in olive oil at a ratio of 1/1 and given by i.p. injection every other day for 3weeks). Tissue samples were examined histopathologically, histomorphometrically, immunohistochemically and biochemically. Key results CCl4 disrupted both testicular morphology and testosterone synthesis, whereas curcumin treatment resulted in an improvement in testicular morphology and biochemical parameters, as well as a decrease in caspase-3 and tumour necrosis factor-α expression. Conclusions Curcumin has a protective effect on testicular tissue damage caused by CCl4 with its anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and antioxantioxidant properties. Implications Curcumin can prevent testicular damage due to CCl4 , an environmental pollutant.

Nigella sativa-Floral Honey and Multi-Floral Honey versus Nigella sativa Oil against Testicular Degeneration Rat Model: The Possible Protective Mechanisms

The male reproductive function, particularly the testes, and the related hormones are sensitive to various xenobiotics. This work aimed for the first time to assess Nigella sativa floral honey (NS floral honey) and multi-floral honey (M-floral honey) versus Nigella sativa oil (NS oil) against rat testicular degeneration induced with azathioprine (AZA). A total of 40 male Wister rats were assigned into 5 groups: (1) control, (2) 15 mg/kg of AZA, (3) AZA + 1.4 mL/kg of M-floral honey, (4) AZA + 1.4 mL/kg of NS floral honey, and (5) AZA + 500 mg/kg of NA oil. Total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), free androgen index (FAI), gonadotrophins, sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), apoptosis markers, and redox status were assessed to clarify the possible protective mechanisms. Pituitary–testicular axis disruption, apoptosis markers, poor redox status, and sperm quality (count, viability, and motility) were set with AZA. Serum TT, SHBG, and absolute and relative testis weight were significantly restored in the NS oil and NS floral honey groups. Meanwhile, the NS oil group exhibited a significant elevation in FT and FAI. Serum gonadotrophins increased significantly in the NS floral honey (p < 0.01) and M-floral honey and NS oil (p < 0.05) groups. Testicular caspase-3, caspase-9, and nitric oxide showed significant improvement in the NS floral honey and NS oil groups. NS oil supplementation significantly normalized redox status (p < 0.05), whereas NS floral honey improved malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity. Sperm quality exhibited a significant improvement in the NS oil group (p < 0.05). M-floral honey did not show reliable results. Although NS floral honey could protect against testicular damage, it did not upgrade to the level of improvement achieved with NS oil. We claim that further clinical studies are essential for focusing on the quality and quantity of bioactive constituents.

Effectiveness of forest honey ( Apis dorsata) as therapy for ovarian failure causing malnutrition

Background: Malnutrition is the imbalance between intake and nutritional needs, resulting in a decrease in body weight, composition, and physical function. Malnutrition causes infertility due to intestinal and liver degeneration,which may progress to testicular and ovarian degeneration. Methods: An infertile female rat model with a degenerative ovary was induced with malnutrition through a 5-day food fasting but still had drinking water. The administration of (T1) 30% (v/v) and (T2) 50% (v/v) forest honey ( Apis dorsata) were performed for ten consecutive days, whereas the (T+) group was fasted and not administered forest honey and the (T-) group has not fasted and not administered forest honey. Superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, IL-13 and TNF-α cytokine expressions, and ovarian tissue regeneration were analyzed. Results: Superoxide dismutase was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (65.24±7.53), T2 (74.16±12.3), and T- (65.09±6.56) compared with T+ (41.76±8.51). Malondialdehyde was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (9.71±1.53), T2 (9.23±0.96), and T- (9.83±1.46) compared with T+ (15.28±1.61). Anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-13) expression was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (5.30±2.31), T2 (9.80±2.53), and T- (0.30±0.48) compared with T+ (2.70±1.57). Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) expression was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T1 (4.40±3.02), T2 (2.50±1.65), and T- (0.30±0.48) compared with T+ (9.50±1.78). Ovarian tissue regeneration was significantly different ( p<0.05) in T- (8.6±0.69) and T2 (5.10±0.99) compared with T1 (0.7±0.95) and T+ (0.3±0.67). Conclusion: The 10-day administration of 50% (v/v) forest honey can be an effective therapy for ovarian failure that caused malnutrition in the female rat model.