1. Evaluation of the protective effects of icariin on nicotine-induced reproductive toxicity in male mouse -a pilot study.
- Author
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Ni G, Zhang X, Afedo SY, and Rui R
- Subjects
- 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases drug effects, 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases genetics, Animals, Body Weight drug effects, Epididymis pathology, Glutathione Peroxidase drug effects, Glutathione Peroxidase genetics, Glutathione Peroxidase metabolism, Male, Malondialdehyde metabolism, Mice, Organ Size drug effects, Oxidative Stress drug effects, Phosphoproteins drug effects, Phosphoproteins genetics, Random Allocation, Sperm Count, Spermatozoa pathology, Superoxide Dismutase drug effects, Superoxide Dismutase genetics, Superoxide Dismutase metabolism, Testis metabolism, Testis pathology, Epididymis drug effects, Flavonoids pharmacology, Nicotine toxicity, Nicotinic Agonists toxicity, Protective Agents pharmacology, Spermatozoa drug effects, Testis drug effects, Testosterone blood
- Abstract
Background: Nicotine, a pharmacologically active component of tobacco adversely affects the male reproductive system and fertility whereas icariin (ICA), the main active ingredient in Epimedium herba has been used in the treatment of several male reproductive problems. This study aimed at evaluating the protective or ameliorative effect of ICA against reproductive toxicity induced by intraperitoneal injection of nicotine in mice., Methods: Using simple random allocation, forty male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (received 0.35 mL physiological saline via gastric gavage), nicotine (0.75 mg/kg BW/day intraperitoneally), ICA (75 mg/kg BW/day gastric gavage), and nicotine plus ICA (nicotine, 0.75 mg/kg BW/day intraperitoneally + ICA, 75 mg/kg BW/day gastric gavage) group. After 35 days of treatment, the mice were weighed, sacrificed, and their reproductive organs (testis and epididymis) were collected and examined for further studies., Results: The nicotine-treated group showed significantly decreased epididymal sperm density and serum testosterone concentration relative to the control group. Nicotine also caused oxidative damage shown by significant reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and elevation in Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. ICA on the other hand, improved the reduction in sperm density, hormone levels, and activities of antioxidant enzymes altered in the nicotine treated mice., Conclusions: These findings indicate that nicotine-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative damage on male reproductive tissues could be attenuated by ICA.
- Published
- 2020
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