Effects of monosodium glutamate on apoptosis of germ cells in testicular tissue of adult rat: An experimental study

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavoring and food seasoning. Some studies have reported the oxidative effects of using this substance on various tissues. Objective: This study has investigated the effects of MSG and the protective effect of vitamin C (vit C) on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and biochemical factors. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (received distilled water), vit C group (150 mg/kg), experimental group 1 (MSG 3 gr/kg), experimental group 2 (MSG 3 gr/kg + vit C 150 mg/kg). The rats were gavaged for 30 days, and then were sacrificed, the right testis was isolated for biochemical examinations for the glutathione, malondialdehyde, and left testis used in histological experiments. Tunnel staining was used to determine the number of apoptotic cells. Results: The results showed that apoptotic cells in the MSG group had a significant increase compared to the control group (P = 0.001), but the number of these cells in the MSG co-administered with vit C and vit C groups were significantly lower than the MSG group. Germinal epithelial thickness also decreased in MSG group compared to the control group. Conclusion: MSG can lead to increase apoptotic changes in the germinal epithelial of the testicle, and vit C as an antioxidant can modify the pathological and biochemical changes induced by MSG

Cardioprotective effects of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum) seed extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Inadequate control of diabetes mellitus (DM) leads to considerable cardiovascular implications like diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is one of the main mechanisms of DCM pathogenesis associated with hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperlipidemia and several other factors. Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) has been long used as a traditional medicine and has many therapeutic effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate cardioprotective effects of fenugreek seed on diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in forty-two male rats by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/ kg). Diabetic animals were treated with three different doses of fenugreek seed extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) or metformin (300 mg/kg) for six weeks by gavage. Nondiabetic rats served as controls. Glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were measured in the blood samples, and oxidative stress markers as well as gene expression of ICAM1, Bax and Bcl2 were assessed in the cardiac tissues of the experimental groups. Results: Diabetic rats exhibited increased serum glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, elevated markers of oxidative stress thiobarbituric acid–reacting substances (TBARS) levels , total thiol groups (SH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and enhanced apoptosis cell death (ratio of Bax/Bcl2). Fenugreek seed extract considerably improved metabolism abnormalities, attenuated oxidative stress and diminished apoptosis index. Conclusion: Our study suggests that fenugreek seed may protect the cardiac structure in STZ-induced diabetic rats by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis

Hesperidin Plays Neuroprotective Effects Against Quinolinic Acid in Human SH-SY5Y Cells: Focusing on ROS Levels and Cell Cycle Arrest

Background and objectives: In some neurodegenerative diseases, an aberrant accumulation of quinolinic acid is frequently associated with the loss of nerve cells and a condition known as neuritis. This is typically caused by an excessive production of free radicals. Studies have shown that hesperidin has potent antioxidant effects, but nothing is known about how it protects against the neurotoxicity induced by quinolinic acid. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of hesperidin against quinolinic acid-induced neurotoxicity in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. Methods: The MTT test was used to determine cell viability and protective dosage of hesperidin. Flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI) staining was used to determine the cell cycle of SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to quinolinic acid in combination with hesperidin. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels within cells were also measured using 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) in the mentioned groups. Results: Our results demonstrated that hesperidin had a protective effect against quinolinic acid-induced toxicity at nontoxic concentrations (p<0.001). Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic cells in the sub-G1 phase increased significantly (p<0.001). Hesperidin pretreatment significantly decreased sub-G1 arrest that was induced by quinolinic acid (p<0.001). Hesperidin significantly decreased ROS levels generated by quinolinic acid (p<0.001). Conclusion: The current study showed that hesperidin exerts its effect through antioxidant activity and can be considered a promising neuroprotectant agent against quinolinic acid-induced neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative disorders; however, more research is necessary in this area for the treatment

Effects of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) on Sperm Quality, Testicular Structure, Testosterone Level and Oxidative Stress in Busulfan-Induced Infertile Mice

Background: Ceratonia silique has antioxidant activities that may inactivate toxic factors and influence sperm quality. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no available data on the effects of carob on male fertility. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of carob on sperm quality, testicular structure, and level of testosterone hormone in busulfan-induced infertile mice. Methods: Sixty-four adult male mice were randomly divided into 8 groups (control, sham, busulfan and carobs 1 to 5). The busulfan group was injected a single dose of 10 mg/kg busulfan intraperitoneally. Carobs 1 to 5 groups received intraperitoneal doses of 800, 400, 200, 100 and 50 mg/kg of carob extract plus a single dose of 10 mg/kg busulfan for 35 days. The sperm analysis, morphometric study, testosterone levels and oxidative stress determination were done on the 35th day of the experiment. Results: The lowest percentage of sperm parameters was related to the busulfan group and the highest was related to the carobs 1 and 2 groups. The seminal vesicles index of the carob 1 group showed a significant increase as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). A significant increase was observed in the mean value of germinal epithelium thickness, as well as thiol and catalase levels in carobs 1 and 2 groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the mean level of testosterone in the carob groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant decrease in the mean value of malondialdehyde level in the carobs 1 and 2 groups p < 0.001) and a significant increase in the mean value of superoxide dismutase enzyme in the carob groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Administration of 800 mg/kg of carob extract for 35 days improved sperm quality, biochemical parameters, thickness of germinal epithelium and testosterone levels in infertile mice induced by busulfan

Feeding of Nigella sativa during neonatal and juvenile growth improves learning and memory of rats

The positive roles of antioxidants on brain development and learning and memory have been suggested. Nigella sativa (NS) has been suggested to have antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. This study was done to investigate the effects of feeding by the hydro-alcoholic extract of NS during neonatal and juvenile growth on learning and memory of rats. The pregnant rats were kept in separate cages. After delivery, they were randomly divided into four Groups including: (1) control; (2) NS 100 mg/kg (NS 100); (3) NS 200 mg/kg (NS 200); and (4) NS 400 mg/kg (NS 400). Rats in the control group (Group 1) received normal drinking water, whereas Groups 2, 3, and 4 received the same drinking water supplemented with the hydro-alcoholic extract of NS (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg, respectively) from the 1st day after birth through the first 8 weeks of life. After 8 weeks, 10 male offspring from each group were randomly selected and tested in the Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) test. Finally, the brains were removed and total thiol groups and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were determined. In the MWM, treatment by 400 mg/kg extract reduced both the time latency and the distance traveled to reach the platform compared to the control group (p < 0.05–p < 0.01). Both 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the extract increased the time spent in the target quadrant (p < 0.05–p < 0.01). In the PA test, the treatment of the animals by 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of NS extract significantly increased the time latency for entering the dark compartment (p < 0.05–p < 0.001). Pretreatment of the animals with 400 mg/kg of NS extract decreased the MDA concentration in hippocampal tissues whereas it increased the thiol content compared to the control group (p < 0.001). These results allow us to propose that feeding of the rats by the hydro-alcoholic extract of NS during neonatal and juvenile growth has positive effects on learning and memory. The effects might be due to the antioxidant effects

Cytotoxic Effects of Hydroxy Coumarin Derivatives on Mouse Neuroblastoma N2a Cell Line: Effects of Hydroxy Coumarin Derivations in N2A cell line

Neuroblastoma is one of the nervous system cancers, which approximately consists of 9% of childhood cancers. In this study, we evaluated the toxic effects of prenyl hydroxy coumarin derivatives on apoptosis of the neuroblastoma cell line N2A. N2A cells were cultured in DMEM medium, then the effects of different concentrations (0.75–200 μg/mL) of prenyl hydroxy coumarin derivatives during 24, 48, and 72 h were studied. Cell viability was quantified by MTT assay; apoptotic cells were determined using PI staining of DNA fragmentation through flow cytometry (sub-G1 peak). The toxic effect of 3- farnesyl oxi coumarin in the N2A cell starts at 6.25 μg/ml and increases relatively depending on rising in concentration and over time. The toxicity and apoptosis of 3- farnesyl and 6- farnesyl oxi coumarin is more than 3- Geranyl and 6-Geranyl oxi coumarin. Prenyl hydroxy coumarin induces peak sub-G1 in flow cytometry compared to the control group, indicating that induced toxicity, which is involved in apoptotic cell death. Different concentrations of derivatives (0.75-200 μg/mL) in lymphocytes did not induce any anti-proliferative effect in 24 h. In conclusion, prenyl hydroxy coumarin derivatives induce apoptotic effects in the N2A cell line. Then prenyl hydroxy coumarin derivatives sound to be chemotherapeutic agents for the neuroblastoma cancer cells