Bisphenols and Male Reproductive Health: From Toxicological Models to Therapeutic Hypotheses

Bisphenols, and in particular bisphenol A (BPA), have been widely used for the production of plastic manufacts in the last 50 years. Currently, BPA is present in a variety of daily use polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, and dietary ingestion is considered the main route of human exposure. Accordingly, BPA is the chemical pollutant with the widest exposure in humans, involving nearly 90% of general population, according to recent studies. Concerns about BPA effects on human health date back to 1930s, when severe impact on male sexual development was suggested. Now, the acknowledged biological effects of BPA are various. In regard to human fertility, BPA has been shown to disrupt hormone signaling even at low concentrations. Results from human epidemiological studies have reported BPA interference with follicle stimulating hormone, inhibin B, estradiol, testosterone levels, and sexual function in male subjects. Moreover, recent studies have reported an association between BPA levels and reduced sperm concentration, motility, normal morphology, sperm DNA damage, and altered epigenetic pattern, resulting in trans-generational legacy of BPA effects. In this review, the recognized effects of BPA on male reproductive health are described, from the most recent issues on experimental models to epidemiological data. In addition, the very recent interest about the use of nutraceutical remedies to counteract BPA effects are discussed

Essential Oil, Chemical Compositions, and Therapeutic Potential

Essential oils-(EOs) are organic compounds derived from aromatic plant sources such as roots, bark, flowers, leaves and seeds. Essential oils were obtained via two different methods of extraction: steam distillation (SD) and water distillation (WD). EOs-therapy, refers to a range of traditional, alternative or complementary therapies that use essential oils from natural products and other aromatic plant compounds. The chemical components composition of EOs depends on the place of origin, climatic conditions, plant species, plant part extracted, and harvesting time. Essential oils are constituted by diversified bioactive constituents, lipophilic and volatile, and in most cases derivatives of terpene compounds and in lower occurrence phenylpropanoids. They have been long recognized for their medicinal uses: antiviral, antibacterial, insecticidal, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. This chapter provides studies on chemical composition, medicinal uses, and benefits of essential oils

Protective effects of orange (Citrus sinensis L.) peel aqueous extract and hesperidin on oxidative stress and peptic ulcer induced by alcohol in rat

Abstract Background Massive alcohol drinking can lead to gastric ulcer. In the present study we investigated the gastroprotective effect of Citrus sinensis peel aqueous extract (CSPE) and Hesperidin (H) in ethanol (EtOH) induced oxidative stress and peptic ulcer in rats. Methods Seventy adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups of 10 each: control, EtOH (4 g/kg b.w.), EtOH + various doses of CSPE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w.), EtOH + Hesperidin (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and EtOH + Omeprazole (OM, 20 mg/kg, p.o.). Animals were perorally (p.o.) pre-treated with CSPE during 15 days and intoxicated with a single oral administration of EtOH (4 g/kg b.w.) during 2 h. Gastric ulcer was induced in rats with a single dose of ethanol (EtOH). Ulcer index, gene expression of gastric cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), malondialdhyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and Thiol groups (−SH) content in stomach and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and gluthation peroxidise (GPx) were measured. Furthermore, histopathological examinations were performed. Results The results showed that ethanol induced gastric damage, improving oxidative stress markers level such as MDA (121 ± 4.45 nmol/mg proteins) and H2O2 (24.62 ± 1.04 μmol/mg proteins), increased pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α level), as well as the expression of COX-2 in the ethanol group. However, a significant depletion of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed, such as, GPx (72%), SOD (57.5%), CAT (41.6%) and -SH (50%). The lesions were associated with severe histopathological damage. The both Citrus sinensis peel aqueous extract (CSPE) and hesperidin significantly protect against all gastric damages caused by ethanol administration in rats. Conclusions We propose that CSPE and hesperidin exhibit protective effects in EtOH-induced peptic ulcer in rat. This protection might be related in to part its antioxidant properties as well as its opposite effects on some studied intracellular mediators

Prophylactic Coloprotective Effect of <i>Urtica dioica</i> Leaves against Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats

Background and Objectives: Urtica dioica, a source of bioactive functional compounds, provides nutritional and gastrointestinal therapeutic benefits. This study attempted to investigate the prophylactic coloprotective action of an aqueous extract of Urtica dioica (AEUD) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and Methods: Phenolic compounds, total sugar, and mineral levels were determined in AEUD. Then, AEUD at different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, BW, p.o.) and mesalazine (MESA) as a standard treatment (100 mg/kg, BW, p.o.) were given orally for 21 days. Acute colitis was induced by administering drinking water with 5% (w/v) DSS for 7 days. Body weight variation, fecal occult blood, and stool consistency were determined daily. The severity of colitis was graded according to colon length, disease activity index (DAI), histological evaluations, and biochemical alterations. Rats orally administered DSS regularly developed clinical and macroscopic signs of colitis. Results: Due to its richness in phenolic and flavonoid compounds (247.65 ± 2.69 mg EAG/g MS and 34.08 ± 0.53 mg EQt/g MS, respectively), AEUD markedly ameliorated DAI, ulcer scores, colon length shortening, colonic histopathological changes, and hematological and biochemical modifications. Taken together, AEUD treatment notably (p 2O2 production and stimulating the effect of enzyme antioxidants as well as attenuating inflammation by decreasing CRP levels by 79.5% between the DSS and DSS + AEUD-50 groups compared to the MESA group (75.6%). Conclusions: AEUD was sufficient to exert a coloprotective effect that might be influenced by its bioactive compounds’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities

Lavandula stoechas essential oils protect against Malathion-induces reproductive disruptions in male mice

Abstract Background The current study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of Lavandula stoechas essential oils (LSEO) against malathion (M) exposure-caused reprotoxicity in male mice as well as the possible mechanisms implicated in such protection. Methods Six–eight-week-old male mice weighting 25–30 g were used and divided into four groups: normal-control, LSEO (50 mg/kg, b.w.), malathion (200 mg/kg, b.w.) and malathion + LSEO treated mice. Malathion was emulsioned in corn oil and per orally administered for 30 days. LSEO was daily administrated during the same period. LSEO chemical identification was done by Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Reproduction-damages and LSEO-benefits were assessed using histopathological, biochemical and steroidogenesis gene expression disruptions and improvements. Results The GC-MS analysis, allowed to the identification of 25 bioactive compounds in MCEO. In vivo, we firstly found that malathion exposure induced a clear reprotoxicity as assessed by a significant-decrease (P < 0.05) of testis/epididymis relative weights, serum testosterone level and reproductive performance. Malathion also produced lipoperoxidation, thiol (-SH) groups decrease as well as a significant-depletion (P < 0.05) of antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD in testis and epididymis. The histopathological examination showed marked change in both studied tissues. All these biochemical and structural changes were significantly (P < 0.05) corrected by LSEO co-administration. More importantly, malathion exposure remarkably (P < 0.05) down-regulated the expression of StAR gene as well as, the mRNA levels of P450scc, 3ßHSD and 17ß-HSD, while LSEO-administration strangely protected against steroidogenesis disruption. Conclusions The potential protective effects of LSEO against malathion-induced reprotoxicity and oxidative stress might be partially to its antioxidant properties as well as its opposite effect against some gene expression involved in the steroidogenesis

Salvia officinalis flowers extract ameliorates liver and kidney injuries induced by simultaneous intoxication with ethanol/castor oil

Abstract The current study investigated the possible mechanisms of aqueous extract Salvia officinalis flowers (SF‐AE) and its protective effects against hepatorenal toxicities produced by simultaneous acute administration of ethanol (EtOH)/castor oil (CO). Healthy male rats (N = 50) were separated into five equal groups: control, Ethanol (EtOH) + Castor oil (CO), doses of increasing orders of SF‐AE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) during 15 days. Liver and kidney injuries were induced by EtOH (4 g/kg, b.w., p.o.) combined with CO (5 mL/kg, b.w., p.o.). Compared to the control group, SF‐AE pretreatment protected against simultaneous administration of EtOH and CO‐caused serious histological alterations in liver and kidney tissues. SF‐AE also reversed liver and kidney biochemical parameters and lipid profile alterations. More importantly, SF‐AE significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and counteracted the depletion of both enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants. SF‐AE also prevents against inflammation induced by EtOH combined with CO, expressed by the rise of inflammation biomarkers (C‐reactive protein: CRP and alkaline phosphatase: ALP). Additionally, combined EtOH intoxication and CO poisoning exerted an increase in H2O2, free iron and calcium levels. Impressively, SF‐AE treatment regulated levels of these studied intracellular mediators in a dose‐dependent manner. In conclusion, SF‐AE can potentially improve liver and kidney injuries associated with biochemical parameter deregulations, possibly by controlling oxidative stress and inflammation

Ameliorative and antioxidant effects of myrtle berry seed (Myrtus communis) extract during reflux-induced esophagitis in rats

International audienceContext Myrtle, Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), is a medicinal plant well known for its richness in phenolic compounds and its beneficial effects for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.Objective In the present work, the protective effect of the myrtle berry seed aqueous extract (MBSAE) against esophageal reflux (ER)-induced damage in esophagus mucosa as well as the mechanisms implicated was determined.Materials and methods In this respect, adult male Wistar rats were used and divided into seven groups: Control, ER, ER+various doses of MBSAE, ER+famotidine or ER+gallic acid. The ER was induced and animals were per orally (p.o.) treated with MBSAE or reference molecules during 6h. The phytochemical screening was determined using colourimetric analysis.Results MBSAE is rich in total polyphenols and anthocyanins and exhibited an important in vitro antioxidant activity. In vivo, we firstly found that ER led to marked macroscopic and histopathological changes in esophagus. The results showed, also, that the ER was accompanied by a state of oxidative stress as assessed by an increase of lipid peroxidation, a decrease of the sulphhydryl groups and glutathione levels, as well as antioxidant enzyme activities depletion. MBSAE abrogated all morphological, histopathological and biochemical alterations. We showed also that ER increased esophageal calcium, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and free iron levels while MBSAE treatment protected against intracellular mediators deregulation.Conclusion Our data suggest that MBSAE exerted a potential protective effect against ER-induced damage in rat esophagus, at least in part, due to its antioxidant properties

Fatty acid composition and mechanisms of the protective effects of myrtle berry seed aqueous extract in alcohol-induced peptic ulcer in rat

International audienceThis study aimed to investigate the antiulcer and antioxidant activities of myrtle berry seed aqueous extract (MBSAE) in a peptic ulcer model induced by ethanol in male Wistar rats. MBSAE is rich in total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic (18: 2) and oleic (18: 1) acids. MBSAE also exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 = 172.1 mu g/mL) and superoxide anion (IC50 = 200.24 mu g/mL) scavenging activities. In vivo, MBSAE provided dose-dependent protection against ethanol-induced gastric and duodenal macroscopic and histological alterations. Also, it inhibited secretory profile disturbances and lipid peroxidation, and preserved normal antioxidant enzyme activities and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels. More importantly, we showed that acute alcohol intoxication increased gastric and duodenal calcium, hydrogen peroxide, and free iron levels, whereas MBSAE treatment protected against intracellular mediator deregulation. In conclusion, we suggest that MBSAE has potent protective effects against alcohol-induced peptic ulcer in rat. This protection might be related in part to its antioxidant properties as well as its opposite effects on some studied intracellular mediators