Aim: The harmful effects of pesticides have been largely documented in recent times. But effective therapeutic solutions to pesticide related male infertility are yet to be established. This study investigated the cur...Aim: The harmful effects of pesticides have been largely documented in recent times. But effective therapeutic solutions to pesticide related male infertility are yet to be established. This study investigated the curative effects of Lannea acida on imidacloprid (IMI)-induced hypofertility in male Wistar rats. Methods: Rats of 150 – 200 g were administered IMI (22.5 mg/kg) for two weeks and partitioned into control (distilled water, vitamin E, clomiphene citrate) or test (aqueous (340 mg/kg), methanol (170 mg/kg) extract) groups for eight weeks treatment. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the treatment and samples were collected for sperm, antioxidant and hormonal analysis. Fertility tests were performed from treatment day 47 for fertility indices estimation. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM and one way ANOVA was applied using STATISTICA Software. Results: Exposition to IMI resulted in a significant decrease in sperm count, motility, viability and normality, testosterone and LH, coupled to an increase in oxidative stress markers. Moreover, IMI impaired male fertility evidenced by a significant drop in fertility index and litter size. Similar to clomiphene citrate and vitamin E, plant extracts significantly improved the sperm parameters, sexual hormones and decreased the oxidative stress markers. More importantly, the fertility index and litter size were restored, especially with the aqueous extract. Conclusion: Present results indicate that L. acida possesses curative potentials against IMI-induced hypofertility through its androgenic and antioxidant properties. However, the effects the extract on spermatozoa DNA structure and the fertility of offsprings from exposed parents are yet to be studied to conclude on total recovery from IMI toxicity.展开更多
Objective: Cyclophosphamide(CP) is commonly used to treat some cancers, but its clinical efficacy is also linked with testicular toxicity. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract(AE) and methanolic extract(ME) ...Objective: Cyclophosphamide(CP) is commonly used to treat some cancers, but its clinical efficacy is also linked with testicular toxicity. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract(AE) and methanolic extract(ME) of Helichrysum odoratissimum for reducing CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.Methods: In addition to a normal control(group 1), drugs or vehicles were administered orally to seven groups(n = 5) of rats that had already received 4-weeks of pre-treatment with CP(5 mg/[kgád], per oral administration);group 2 received CP + distilled water(10 m L/[kgád]);group 3 received CP + 5% tween 80(10 m L/[kgád]);group 4 received CP + clomiphene citrate(0.25 mg/[kgád]);groups 5 and 6 received CP + AE(50 and 100 mg/[kgád]) and groups 7 and 8 received CP + ME(50 and 100 mg/[kgád]). Animals were sacrificed on day 15, and body and sexual organ weights, sperm characteristics, testosterone level and testicular histology were evaluated.Results: The CP-treated group showed a significant reduction(P < 0.001) in the body and seminal vesicle weights, testosterone level, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability, but elevated(P < 0.001)sperm morphological abnormalities and testicular structure alterations, compared to the control group.Interestingly, these detrimental effects of CP were reversed by treatment with H. odoratissimum extracts.For instance, both extracts and all doses of H. odoratissimum significantly increased the sperm count(P < 0.001), sperm motility(AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.05;ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and sperm viability(AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.001;ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.001) compared to the CP group. H. odoratissimum also improved plasmatic and intratesticular testosterone levels and prevented histological alterations of the testes.Conclusion: H. odoratissimum might be considered as an alternative drug to alleviate/prevent reproductive damage in cancer patients receiving CP chemotherapy.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate Ficus asperifolia(Moraceae)(F.asperifolia)effecting on regular estrus cycle of Wistar rats.Methods:Air-dried fruits of F.asperifolia were extracted using water.Prior to the test,vaginal smear was...Objective:To evaluate Ficus asperifolia(Moraceae)(F.asperifolia)effecting on regular estrus cycle of Wistar rats.Methods:Air-dried fruits of F.asperifolia were extracted using water.Prior to the test,vaginal smear was monitored daily for a 3-week period to select females with normal(regular)estrous cycle.Those with regular estrus cycle weighing between 150-170 g were randomized into three sets of 15 animals each.Each set was then divided into three groups:Group 1(control)was orally administered with distilled water(10 mL/kg body weight)once a day for 1 week starting from the proestrus stage.Groups 2 and 3 were respectively treated with 100and 500 mg/kg body weight of the plant aqueous extract.The two other sets of 15 animals each were similarly treated as the first set for 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively.Estrus cycle pattern was monitored before and during plant extract application whereas lipid profile,ovary,uterus and liver growth indices were determined at the end of each treatment.Results:F.asperifolia did not disrupt(0%)the order of appearance of normal estrus cycle stages,namely,proestrus,estrus,metestrus and diestrus.Short-term treatment(1 week duration)exhibited high frequency of appearance of proestrus and estrus stages while mid-(3 weeks)and long-term(6 weeks)treatments revealed constancy in the frequency of all stages irrespective to animal groups.The plasma and organ lipid profile,as well as ovary,uterus and liver growth remained unchanged when compared to distilled water-treated animals.Following long-term administration of plant extract(6 weeks),no adverse effect was noticed.Conclusions:Our data partially support the use of F.asperifolia in common medicine.展开更多
Aim: To determine the effect of the aqueous extract of Mondia whitei (Periplocaceae) roots on testosterone production and fertility of male rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used. In the acute study, 20 rats ...Aim: To determine the effect of the aqueous extract of Mondia whitei (Periplocaceae) roots on testosterone production and fertility of male rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used. In the acute study, 20 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 animals each. Four treated groups were administered orally a single dose of Mondia whitei (400 mg/kg) and the controls received a similar amount of distilled water. One group of animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 1,2,4 and 6 h after treatment, respectively. The controls were sacrificed at 6 h. Testicular testosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay. In the chronic study, 28 rats were divided at random into 4 groups of 7 animals each: Groups 1, 2 and 3 were given orally the plant extract (400 mg·kg-1·day-1) for 2, 4 and 8 days, respectively. The animals of Groups 1 and 2 were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dosing. The controls (Group 4) received the same amount of distilled water for 8 days. The fertility was assessed only in Groups 3 and 4 and after that, the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm density, the serum testosterone and the testicular testosterone and 17β-estradiol were assayed. The serum, testicular and epidydimal protein contents were also determined. Results: In the acute treatment groups, the serum and testicular concentrations of testosterone remained unchanged at all the time points. Chronic treatment for 8 days induced a significant increase in the testicular weight, the serum and testicular testosterone, the testicular protein content and the sperm density (P<0.05-0.01), but did not affect the accessory gland weights, the serum protein contents, the testicular concentration of 17β-estradiol and the fertility compared to the controls. Conclusion: Mondia whitei root extract possesses an androgenic property.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the effects of the methanolic extract ofGuibourtia tessmannii (G. tesmannii) on sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level in obese rats.Methods: A total of 193 male Wistar rats were ...Objective:To evaluate the effects of the methanolic extract ofGuibourtia tessmannii (G. tesmannii) on sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level in obese rats.Methods: A total of 193 male Wistar rats were fed either with palm oil diet (n=185) or standard diet (n=8) for 16 wk. At the end of this feeding period, 90 obese rats were selected and randomly divided into 18 groups of five rats each and treated with distilled water (10 mL/kg), vitamin E (75 mg/kg), clomiphene citrate (2 mg/kg) or methanolic extract ofG. tessmannii (55, 110 or 220 mg/kg) for 7, 21 or 56 d. At the end of each treatment period, sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level were evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures followed by post-hoc Tukey HSD (P<0.05) for multiple comparisons.Results: Feeding of rats for 16 wk with palm oil diet significantly damaged sperm parameters. The methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii improved sperm viability, motility and normality after 21 or 56 d of treatment. The sperm normality increased significantly in rats treated with the methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii for 7 (110 mg/kg,P<0.01) and 56 d (110 and 220 mg/kg,P<0.05) compared to control group. Triglycerids, total cholesterol, low and very low density lipoproteins cholesterol levels were lower in rats treated with the plant extract for 56 d.G. tesmannii also significantly increased the high density lipoprotein cholesterol and testosterone levels in the plasma after 56 d of treatment.Conclusions: The methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii can improve sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level in obese rats. These findings may justify the folkloric use ofG. tesmannii as a reproductive performance enhancer.展开更多
Objective: Hypothyroidism has been claimed to generate sexual dysfunctions such as ejaculatory disorders. Aframomum melegueta is an aphrodisiac plant with pro-ejaculatory properties. We investigated the protective eff...Objective: Hypothyroidism has been claimed to generate sexual dysfunctions such as ejaculatory disorders. Aframomum melegueta is an aphrodisiac plant with pro-ejaculatory properties. We investigated the protective effects of aqueous extract(AE) and methanolic extract(ME) of A. melegueta on the ejaculatory function of hypothyroid male rats.Methods: Forty sexually experienced male rats were partitioned into 8 groups(5 rats per group) and treated for 28 d as follows: Group 1, Control;Group 2, propylthiouracil(PTU, 10 mg/kg)+ distilled water(DW,10 m L/kg);Group 3, PTU + 5% Tween 80(10 m L/kg);Group 4, PTU + bromocriptine(6 mg/kg);Group 5,PTU + AE(20 mg/kg);Group 6, PTU + AE(100 mg/kg);Group 7, PTU + ME(20 mg/kg), and Group 8,PTU + ME(100 mg/kg). On days 0, 7, 14 and 28 of treatment, each male rat was paired with primed receptive female for measurement of ejaculatory latency time(ELT) and post-ejaculatory interval(PEI) for1.5 h. On day 29, each male rat was urethane-anesthetized and the spinal cord was transected.Thereafter, following urethral/penile stimulations and intravenous injection of dopamine, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were registered. After these recordings,blood was collected through the catheterization of abdominal artery and plasma was used for thyroidstimulating hormone(TSH), prolactin and testosterone assays.Results: PTU-induced hypothyroidism was characterized by a significant elevation(P < 0.001) of plasmatic TSH and prolactin levels, but a decline(P < 0.001) in plasmatic testosterone, compared to untreated group. ELT, PEI, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were also altered by PTU treatment. On the contrary, A. melegueta extracts elevated testosterone(AE, 100 mg/kg,P < 0.01;ME, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and decreased prolactin(AE, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05;ME, 20 mg/kg,P < 0.05) levels, compared to corresponding controls. With regard to DW + PTU group, prolactin concentration was lowered(P < 0.05) in rats administered with bromocriptine. Treatment with A. melegueta extracts significantly prevented the lengthening of ELT(P < 0.05) and PEI(P < 0.001). Hypothyroid state also altered the fictive ejaculation by increasing the latency and decreasing the number and frequency of bulbospongiosus muscle contractions. There was also a decrease in the intraseminal pressure. These alterations were significantly(P < 0.05) alleviated in plant extract-treated groups.Conclusion: This study highlighted the ejaculatory disturbance of hypothyroidism in male rats and its prevention with A. melegueta extracts.展开更多
To determine the effect of Na+/H+-exchanger-1 on diabetic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetes Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and lean controls were treated with cariporide (10 or 20 mg/kg/d), a Na+/H+-exchanger-1 inhibito...To determine the effect of Na+/H+-exchanger-1 on diabetic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetes Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and lean controls were treated with cariporide (10 or 20 mg/kg/d), a Na+/H+-exchanger-1 inhibitor, for 4 weeks at 15 weeks of age. Neuropathy endpoints included motor (MNCV) and sensory (SNCV) nerve conduction velocities, thermal nociception, tactile allodynia and intraepidermal nerve fiber density. Advanced glycation endproduct and markers of oxidative stress including nitrated protein levels in sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglion were also evaluated. Expression of Na+/H+-exchanger-1 in dorsal root ganglion neurons was increased in ZDF rats. At 15 weeks of age ZDF rats displayed hyperglycemia, MNCV and SNCV deficits, thermal hypoalgesia and tactile allodynia. At 20 but not 10 mg/kg/d, cariporide significantly improved MNCV and SNCV deficits, thermal hypoalgesia and tactile allodynia. Cariporide treatment was also associated with reduction of diabetes-induced accumulation of advanced glycation end-product (AGE), oxidative stress and nitrated proteins in sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglion neurons. In conclusion, these findings support an important role for Na+/H+-exchanger-1 in peripheral diabetic neuropathy, and provide rationale for development of Na+/H+-exchanger-1 inhibitors for treatment of diabetic neural complications.展开更多
<span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The mixture of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Erigeron floribundus</span...<span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The mixture of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Erigeron floribundus</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Tragia benthamii</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> (AEMEFTB) is</span></span><span style="font-family:""> <span style="font-family:Verdana;">tra</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ditionally used against pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and female sexual dysfunctions. In a recent study, we showed that the aqueous extract of the mixture of </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">AEMEFTB suppresses the endometrium growth in rat</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> with experimental</span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">en</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">dometriosis. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">present study was aimed at investigating the effects of AEM</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">EFTB on estrogen’s sensitive sexual organs growth and architecture. Imma</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ture gonado-intact female rats were randomly distributed into 7 groups of 5 ani</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">mals each and daily treated during one week with either distilled water (10</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ml/kg), refined palm oil (1</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ml/kg) or 17</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">β</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-estradiol (1</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">μg/day). Plant extract</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> groups received aqueous extract of AEMEFTB at 130 or 260 mg/kg. The remaining groups were co-administered with 17</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">β</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-estradiol (1</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">μg) plus 130 or 260 mg/kg of the plant mixture. Moreover, thirty-five immature female rats were bilaterally ovariectomized, then left and treated as before. Five other females, </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">considered as sham animals, orally received distilled water (10 ml/kg). The</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> body weight of each animal was recorded daily and at the end of the treatment (day 8), animals were</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> sacrificed under anesthesia</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">,</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">the </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">vagina</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, uterus</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">es</span><span style="font-family:""> <span style="font-family:Verdana;">and ovaries (if any) </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">were collected for analysis. Treatment with AEMEFTB did not affect the ova</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">rian </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">weight and architecture in gonado-intact immature female rats. However, a</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> moderate increase of the uterine weight was recorded in animals treated with plant </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">mixture at </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">the </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">high dose (260 mg/kg). On the contrary, a drop in the uterine</span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">growth index and total plasmatic proteins w</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">as </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">observed in immature females </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">co-administered with the extract and estradiol. Results from this work showed</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> that the mixture of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Erigeron flori</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">bundus</span></i><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Tragia benthamii </span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">possesses a weak but observable estro</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">gen-mimetic potential.展开更多
文摘Aim: The harmful effects of pesticides have been largely documented in recent times. But effective therapeutic solutions to pesticide related male infertility are yet to be established. This study investigated the curative effects of Lannea acida on imidacloprid (IMI)-induced hypofertility in male Wistar rats. Methods: Rats of 150 – 200 g were administered IMI (22.5 mg/kg) for two weeks and partitioned into control (distilled water, vitamin E, clomiphene citrate) or test (aqueous (340 mg/kg), methanol (170 mg/kg) extract) groups for eight weeks treatment. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the treatment and samples were collected for sperm, antioxidant and hormonal analysis. Fertility tests were performed from treatment day 47 for fertility indices estimation. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM and one way ANOVA was applied using STATISTICA Software. Results: Exposition to IMI resulted in a significant decrease in sperm count, motility, viability and normality, testosterone and LH, coupled to an increase in oxidative stress markers. Moreover, IMI impaired male fertility evidenced by a significant drop in fertility index and litter size. Similar to clomiphene citrate and vitamin E, plant extracts significantly improved the sperm parameters, sexual hormones and decreased the oxidative stress markers. More importantly, the fertility index and litter size were restored, especially with the aqueous extract. Conclusion: Present results indicate that L. acida possesses curative potentials against IMI-induced hypofertility through its androgenic and antioxidant properties. However, the effects the extract on spermatozoa DNA structure and the fertility of offsprings from exposed parents are yet to be studied to conclude on total recovery from IMI toxicity.
文摘Objective: Cyclophosphamide(CP) is commonly used to treat some cancers, but its clinical efficacy is also linked with testicular toxicity. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract(AE) and methanolic extract(ME) of Helichrysum odoratissimum for reducing CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.Methods: In addition to a normal control(group 1), drugs or vehicles were administered orally to seven groups(n = 5) of rats that had already received 4-weeks of pre-treatment with CP(5 mg/[kgád], per oral administration);group 2 received CP + distilled water(10 m L/[kgád]);group 3 received CP + 5% tween 80(10 m L/[kgád]);group 4 received CP + clomiphene citrate(0.25 mg/[kgád]);groups 5 and 6 received CP + AE(50 and 100 mg/[kgád]) and groups 7 and 8 received CP + ME(50 and 100 mg/[kgád]). Animals were sacrificed on day 15, and body and sexual organ weights, sperm characteristics, testosterone level and testicular histology were evaluated.Results: The CP-treated group showed a significant reduction(P < 0.001) in the body and seminal vesicle weights, testosterone level, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability, but elevated(P < 0.001)sperm morphological abnormalities and testicular structure alterations, compared to the control group.Interestingly, these detrimental effects of CP were reversed by treatment with H. odoratissimum extracts.For instance, both extracts and all doses of H. odoratissimum significantly increased the sperm count(P < 0.001), sperm motility(AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.05;ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and sperm viability(AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.001;ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.001) compared to the CP group. H. odoratissimum also improved plasmatic and intratesticular testosterone levels and prevented histological alterations of the testes.Conclusion: H. odoratissimum might be considered as an alternative drug to alleviate/prevent reproductive damage in cancer patients receiving CP chemotherapy.
文摘Objective:To evaluate Ficus asperifolia(Moraceae)(F.asperifolia)effecting on regular estrus cycle of Wistar rats.Methods:Air-dried fruits of F.asperifolia were extracted using water.Prior to the test,vaginal smear was monitored daily for a 3-week period to select females with normal(regular)estrous cycle.Those with regular estrus cycle weighing between 150-170 g were randomized into three sets of 15 animals each.Each set was then divided into three groups:Group 1(control)was orally administered with distilled water(10 mL/kg body weight)once a day for 1 week starting from the proestrus stage.Groups 2 and 3 were respectively treated with 100and 500 mg/kg body weight of the plant aqueous extract.The two other sets of 15 animals each were similarly treated as the first set for 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively.Estrus cycle pattern was monitored before and during plant extract application whereas lipid profile,ovary,uterus and liver growth indices were determined at the end of each treatment.Results:F.asperifolia did not disrupt(0%)the order of appearance of normal estrus cycle stages,namely,proestrus,estrus,metestrus and diestrus.Short-term treatment(1 week duration)exhibited high frequency of appearance of proestrus and estrus stages while mid-(3 weeks)and long-term(6 weeks)treatments revealed constancy in the frequency of all stages irrespective to animal groups.The plasma and organ lipid profile,as well as ovary,uterus and liver growth remained unchanged when compared to distilled water-treated animals.Following long-term administration of plant extract(6 weeks),no adverse effect was noticed.Conclusions:Our data partially support the use of F.asperifolia in common medicine.
文摘Aim: To determine the effect of the aqueous extract of Mondia whitei (Periplocaceae) roots on testosterone production and fertility of male rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used. In the acute study, 20 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 animals each. Four treated groups were administered orally a single dose of Mondia whitei (400 mg/kg) and the controls received a similar amount of distilled water. One group of animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 1,2,4 and 6 h after treatment, respectively. The controls were sacrificed at 6 h. Testicular testosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay. In the chronic study, 28 rats were divided at random into 4 groups of 7 animals each: Groups 1, 2 and 3 were given orally the plant extract (400 mg·kg-1·day-1) for 2, 4 and 8 days, respectively. The animals of Groups 1 and 2 were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dosing. The controls (Group 4) received the same amount of distilled water for 8 days. The fertility was assessed only in Groups 3 and 4 and after that, the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm density, the serum testosterone and the testicular testosterone and 17β-estradiol were assayed. The serum, testicular and epidydimal protein contents were also determined. Results: In the acute treatment groups, the serum and testicular concentrations of testosterone remained unchanged at all the time points. Chronic treatment for 8 days induced a significant increase in the testicular weight, the serum and testicular testosterone, the testicular protein content and the sperm density (P<0.05-0.01), but did not affect the accessory gland weights, the serum protein contents, the testicular concentration of 17β-estradiol and the fertility compared to the controls. Conclusion: Mondia whitei root extract possesses an androgenic property.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the effects of the methanolic extract ofGuibourtia tessmannii (G. tesmannii) on sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level in obese rats.Methods: A total of 193 male Wistar rats were fed either with palm oil diet (n=185) or standard diet (n=8) for 16 wk. At the end of this feeding period, 90 obese rats were selected and randomly divided into 18 groups of five rats each and treated with distilled water (10 mL/kg), vitamin E (75 mg/kg), clomiphene citrate (2 mg/kg) or methanolic extract ofG. tessmannii (55, 110 or 220 mg/kg) for 7, 21 or 56 d. At the end of each treatment period, sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level were evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures followed by post-hoc Tukey HSD (P<0.05) for multiple comparisons.Results: Feeding of rats for 16 wk with palm oil diet significantly damaged sperm parameters. The methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii improved sperm viability, motility and normality after 21 or 56 d of treatment. The sperm normality increased significantly in rats treated with the methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii for 7 (110 mg/kg,P<0.01) and 56 d (110 and 220 mg/kg,P<0.05) compared to control group. Triglycerids, total cholesterol, low and very low density lipoproteins cholesterol levels were lower in rats treated with the plant extract for 56 d.G. tesmannii also significantly increased the high density lipoprotein cholesterol and testosterone levels in the plasma after 56 d of treatment.Conclusions: The methanolic extract ofG. tesmannii can improve sperm parameters, lipid profile and testosterone level in obese rats. These findings may justify the folkloric use ofG. tesmannii as a reproductive performance enhancer.
文摘Objective: Hypothyroidism has been claimed to generate sexual dysfunctions such as ejaculatory disorders. Aframomum melegueta is an aphrodisiac plant with pro-ejaculatory properties. We investigated the protective effects of aqueous extract(AE) and methanolic extract(ME) of A. melegueta on the ejaculatory function of hypothyroid male rats.Methods: Forty sexually experienced male rats were partitioned into 8 groups(5 rats per group) and treated for 28 d as follows: Group 1, Control;Group 2, propylthiouracil(PTU, 10 mg/kg)+ distilled water(DW,10 m L/kg);Group 3, PTU + 5% Tween 80(10 m L/kg);Group 4, PTU + bromocriptine(6 mg/kg);Group 5,PTU + AE(20 mg/kg);Group 6, PTU + AE(100 mg/kg);Group 7, PTU + ME(20 mg/kg), and Group 8,PTU + ME(100 mg/kg). On days 0, 7, 14 and 28 of treatment, each male rat was paired with primed receptive female for measurement of ejaculatory latency time(ELT) and post-ejaculatory interval(PEI) for1.5 h. On day 29, each male rat was urethane-anesthetized and the spinal cord was transected.Thereafter, following urethral/penile stimulations and intravenous injection of dopamine, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were registered. After these recordings,blood was collected through the catheterization of abdominal artery and plasma was used for thyroidstimulating hormone(TSH), prolactin and testosterone assays.Results: PTU-induced hypothyroidism was characterized by a significant elevation(P < 0.001) of plasmatic TSH and prolactin levels, but a decline(P < 0.001) in plasmatic testosterone, compared to untreated group. ELT, PEI, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were also altered by PTU treatment. On the contrary, A. melegueta extracts elevated testosterone(AE, 100 mg/kg,P < 0.01;ME, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and decreased prolactin(AE, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05;ME, 20 mg/kg,P < 0.05) levels, compared to corresponding controls. With regard to DW + PTU group, prolactin concentration was lowered(P < 0.05) in rats administered with bromocriptine. Treatment with A. melegueta extracts significantly prevented the lengthening of ELT(P < 0.05) and PEI(P < 0.001). Hypothyroid state also altered the fictive ejaculation by increasing the latency and decreasing the number and frequency of bulbospongiosus muscle contractions. There was also a decrease in the intraseminal pressure. These alterations were significantly(P < 0.05) alleviated in plant extract-treated groups.Conclusion: This study highlighted the ejaculatory disturbance of hypothyroidism in male rats and its prevention with A. melegueta extracts.
文摘To determine the effect of Na+/H+-exchanger-1 on diabetic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetes Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and lean controls were treated with cariporide (10 or 20 mg/kg/d), a Na+/H+-exchanger-1 inhibitor, for 4 weeks at 15 weeks of age. Neuropathy endpoints included motor (MNCV) and sensory (SNCV) nerve conduction velocities, thermal nociception, tactile allodynia and intraepidermal nerve fiber density. Advanced glycation endproduct and markers of oxidative stress including nitrated protein levels in sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglion were also evaluated. Expression of Na+/H+-exchanger-1 in dorsal root ganglion neurons was increased in ZDF rats. At 15 weeks of age ZDF rats displayed hyperglycemia, MNCV and SNCV deficits, thermal hypoalgesia and tactile allodynia. At 20 but not 10 mg/kg/d, cariporide significantly improved MNCV and SNCV deficits, thermal hypoalgesia and tactile allodynia. Cariporide treatment was also associated with reduction of diabetes-induced accumulation of advanced glycation end-product (AGE), oxidative stress and nitrated proteins in sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglion neurons. In conclusion, these findings support an important role for Na+/H+-exchanger-1 in peripheral diabetic neuropathy, and provide rationale for development of Na+/H+-exchanger-1 inhibitors for treatment of diabetic neural complications.
文摘<span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The mixture of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Erigeron floribundus</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Tragia benthamii</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> (AEMEFTB) is</span></span><span style="font-family:""> <span style="font-family:Verdana;">tra</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ditionally used against pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and female sexual dysfunctions. In a recent study, we showed that the aqueous extract of the mixture of </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">AEMEFTB suppresses the endometrium growth in rat</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> with experimental</span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">en</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">dometriosis. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">present study was aimed at investigating the effects of AEM</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">EFTB on estrogen’s sensitive sexual organs growth and architecture. Imma</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ture gonado-intact female rats were randomly distributed into 7 groups of 5 ani</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">mals each and daily treated during one week with either distilled water (10</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ml/kg), refined palm oil (1</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ml/kg) or 17</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">β</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-estradiol (1</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">μg/day). Plant extract</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> groups received aqueous extract of AEMEFTB at 130 or 260 mg/kg. The remaining groups were co-administered with 17</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">β</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-estradiol (1</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">μg) plus 130 or 260 mg/kg of the plant mixture. Moreover, thirty-five immature female rats were bilaterally ovariectomized, then left and treated as before. Five other females, </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">considered as sham animals, orally received distilled water (10 ml/kg). The</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> body weight of each animal was recorded daily and at the end of the treatment (day 8), animals were</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> sacrificed under anesthesia</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">,</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">the </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">vagina</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, uterus</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">es</span><span style="font-family:""> <span style="font-family:Verdana;">and ovaries (if any) </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">were collected for analysis. Treatment with AEMEFTB did not affect the ova</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">rian </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">weight and architecture in gonado-intact immature female rats. However, a</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> moderate increase of the uterine weight was recorded in animals treated with plant </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">mixture at </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">the </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">high dose (260 mg/kg). On the contrary, a drop in the uterine</span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">growth index and total plasmatic proteins w</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">as </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">observed in immature females </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">co-administered with the extract and estradiol. Results from this work showed</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> that the mixture of </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Erigeron flori</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">bundus</span></i><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Tragia benthamii </span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">possesses a weak but observable estro</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">gen-mimetic potential.
