Article

Effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil on testicular antioxidant values, apoptotic germ cell and sperm quality

August 2013

DOI:10.1111/and.12000

Source
PubMed

Authors:

Gaffari Türk

Fırat University

Songul Ceribasi

Fırat University

Mustafa Sönmez

Fırat University

Show all 6 authorsHide

Cinnamon and its contents have multifactorial properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic. Male infertility is one of the major health problems in life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of longterm cinnamon bark oil (CBO) ingestion on testicular antioxidant values, apoptotic germ cell and sperm quality of adult rats. Twelve male healthy Wistar rats were divided into two groups, each group containing six rats. While olive oil was given to control group, 100 mg kg �1 CBO was administered to the other group by gavage daily for 10 weeks. Body and reproductive organ weights, sperm characteristics, testicular lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, and testicular apoptosis via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method were examined. A significant decrease in malondialdehyde level and marked increases in reduced glutathione level, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were observed in rats treated with CBO compared with the control group. CBO consumption provided a significant increase in weights of testes and epididymides, epididymal sperm concentration, sperm motility and diameter of seminiferous tubules when compared with the control group. However, CBO consumption tended to decrease the abnormal sperm rate and apoptotic germ cell count, but it did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that CBO has improvement effect on testicular oxidant–antioxidant balance and sperm quality, and its consumption may be useful for asthenozoospermic men.

Protective Effect of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Extract on the Sperm Quality During Cool Storage of Ram Semen

Article

Full-text available

May 2025

Background Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, poses a significant threat to sperm quality during storage. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of cinnamon extract, a natural antioxidant, on ram sperm quality during liquid storage at 4°C. Methods Semen samples from 10 rams were collected, diluted and divided into five treatment groups. Each group received different concentrations of cinnamon extract (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 µL/mL) added to the diluted semen. Sperm quality was evaluated at storage intervals of 1, 24, 48 and 72 h, with all samples maintained at 4°C during the storage period. Results This study demonstrated that cinnamon extract significantly enhances ram sperm quality during liquid storage at 4°C. Notably, the addition of cinnamon extract, particularly at a concentration of 100 µL/mL, resulted in substantial improvements in progressive motility, total motility, sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity over the storage period. Specifically, after 1 h, the 50 µL/mL group showed a significant increase in progressive motility. At 24 h, both total and progressive motility were significantly higher in the 50, 100 and 150 µL/mL groups. By 48 h, the 50 and 100 µL/mL groups demonstrated significant enhancements in all measured parameters. The optimal results were observed at 72 h, where the 100 µL/mL group exhibited the highest values across all sperm quality metrics. These findings underscore the effectiveness of cinnamon extract as a natural antioxidant for preserving sperm quality during storage. Conclusions Supplementation with cinnamon extract significantly enhances ram sperm quality, with an optimal concentration of 100 µL/mL effectively maintaining sperm viability during 72 h of liquid storage. These results suggest that cinnamon extract may serve as a valuable natural antioxidant for improving sperm preservation in liquid storage conditions.

Oils of Nigella sativa L. and Cinnamon zeylanicum Inhibit the Testicular Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Induced by Mancozeb in Rats

Article

Jan 2016

Effects of Cinnamon (C. zeylanicum) Bark Oil Against Taxanes-Induced Damages in Sperm Quality, Testicular and Epididymal Oxidant/Antioxidant Balance, Testicular Apoptosis, and Sperm DNA Integrity

Article

Mar 2016
NUTR CANCER

The aim of this study was to investigate whether cinnamon bark oil (CBO) has protective effect on taxanes-induced adverse changes in sperm quality, testicular and epididymal oxidant/antioxidant balance, testicular apoptosis, and sperm DNA integrity. For this purpose, 88 adult male rats were equally divided into 8 groups: control, CBO, docetaxel (DTX), paclitaxel (PTX), DTX+PTX, DTX+CBO, PTX+CBO, and DTX+PTX+CBO. CBO was given by gavage daily for 10 weeks at the dose of 100 mg/kg. DTX and PTX were administered by intraperitoneal injection at the doses of 5 and 4 mg/kg/week, respectively, for 10 weeks. DTX+PTX and DTX+PTX+CBO groups were treated with DTX during first 5 weeks and PTX during next 5 weeks. DTX, PTX, and their mixed administrations caused significant decreases in absolute and relative weights of all reproductive organs, testosterone level, sperm motility, concentration, glutathione level, and catalase activity in testicular and epididymal tissues. They also significantly increased abnormal sperm rate, testicular and epididymal malondialdehyde level, apoptotic germ cell number, and sperm DNA fragmentation and significantly damaged the histological structure of testes. CBO consumption by DTX-, PTX-, and DTX+PTX-treated rats provided significant ameliorations in decreased relative weights of reproductive organs, decreased testosterone, decreased sperm quality, imbalanced oxidant/antioxidant system, increased apoptotic germ cell number, rate of sperm with fragmented DNA, and severity of testicular histopathological lesions induced by taxanes. In conclusion, taxanes cause impairments in sperm quality, testicular and epididymal oxidant/antioxidant balance, testicular histopathological structure, and sperm DNA integrity, and long-term CBO consumption protects male reproductive system of rats.

Protective effects of Tribulus terrestris and Cinnamomum zeylanicum extracts and trehalose added to diluents on goat epididymal sperm freezability

Article

Nov 2020

This study investigates the effect of adding Tribulus terrestris ethanol extract (TEE) and Cinnamomum zeylanicum ethanol extract (CEE) and trehalose on freezability of goat epididymal spermatozoa. In Experiment 1, the treatments consist of basic extender containing 25, 50 or 100 μg/ml of TEE or CEE. The control contained no additives. Experiment 2 was carried out to compare the effect of best concentrations resulted in the first experiment with 150 mM trehalose added to basic extender. The results of experiment 1 showed that supplementation of 50 μg/ml TEE and 50 μg/ml CEE increased significantly the percentages of motility, progressive motility and viability of cryopreserved spermatozoa, while the level of malondialdehyde concentration was decreased. Moreover, the 50 μg/ml TEE treatment indicate significantly) P < 0.05) the lowest DNA fragmentation among the other treatments. The data obtained from experiment 2 show that all treatments increased significantly) P < 0.05) the percentages of total motility, viability and membrane integrity, and concurrently decreased the rate of MDA compared to control. In addition, the rates of viability and progressive motility were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in diluents contained herb extracts and trehalose. Regarding DNA fragmentation, the results demonstrate that using the extracts and trehalose in diluents decreased the DNA damages and thereby improved the rate of intact sperm heads. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that 50 μg/ml of Tribulus terrestris and Cinnamomum zeylanicum ethanolic extracts alone and plus trehalose improved the spermatozoa quality and could be used for cryopreservation.

Irisin may have a role in pubertal development and regulation of reproductive function in rats

Article

Full-text available

May 2020

Physical exercise and body muscle/fat mass are known to affect the endocrine system, puberty onset and reproductive health. However, the potential effects of irisin, an adipo-myokine and exercise-induced hormone, have not yet been fully elucidated on reproductive maturation. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of irisin administration on pubertal maturation and reproductive system in female and male rats. Daily intraperitoneal injection of irisin (100 ng/kg; from postnatal day 21 for about 10 weeks) delayed the ages at the vaginal opening (as an external index of puberty onset) and first estrus. Furthermore, continuous administration of irisin to female rats caused a significant decrease in serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels and an increase in serum luteinizing hormone and 17β-estradiol levels, as well as causing histopathological changes in the ovarian tissue. On the contrary, irisin administration to male rats did not modify the timing of puberty, as estimated by age at preputial separation. However, chronic exposure to irisin produced significant increases in serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels and also sperm concentration and seminiferous tubule diameter in male rats. In conclusion, irisin exposure has different effects on both pubertal maturation and reproductive system in female and male rats. The present findings reveal that chronic irisin exposure may lead to disorders in the female reproductive system and may have androgenic potential on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in males.

Oxidative stress and male infertility: current knowledge of pathophysiology and role of antioxidant therapy in disease management

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2020
CELL MOL LIFE SCI

Infertility is a global health problem involving about 15% of couples. Approximately half of the infertility cases are related to male factors. The oxidative stress, which refers to an imbalance in levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, is one of the main causes of infertility in men. A small amount of ROS is necessary for the physiological function of sperm including the capacitation, hyperactivation and acrosomal reaction. However, high levels of ROS can cause infertility through not only by lipid peroxidation or DNA damage but inactivation of enzymes and oxidation of proteins in spermatozoa. Oxidative stress (OS) is mainly caused by factors associated with lifestyle. Besides, immature spermatozoa, inflammatory factors, genetic mutations and altering levels of sex hormones are other main source of ROS. Since OS occurs due to the lack of antioxidants and its side effects in semen, lifestyle changes and antioxidant regimens can be helpful therapeutic approaches to overcome this problem. The present study aimed to describe physiological ROS production, roles of genetic and epigenetic factors on the OS and male infertility with various mechanisms such as lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and disorder of male hormone profile, inflammation, and varicocele. Finally, the roles of oral antioxidants and herbs were explained in coping with OS in male infertility.

An evidence‐based approach to medicinal plants for the treatment of sperm abnormalities in traditional Persian medicine

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2016
ANDROLOGIA

Infertility is defined as inability of a sexually active couple to conceive after 1 year of regular intercourse without contraception. Male factors account for 20%–50% of cases of infertility. The aim of this study was to review medicinal plants that proposed to improve sperm abnormalities in traditional Persian medicine. For this purpose, PubMed, Scopus, GoogleScholar and Cochrane library were explored for medicinal plants used in traditional Persian medicine for sperm abnormalities to obtain studies giving any evidence for their efficacy and pharmacological mechanisms related to male infertility. Data were collected for the years 1966 to March 2015. For some of them, including Chlorophytum borivilianum, Crocus sativus, Nigella sativa, Sesamum indicum, Tribulus terrestris, Mucuna pruriens and Withania somnifera, more reliable evidence was found. The mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of medicinal plants in sperm abnormalities are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-oedematous and venotonic activity as well as containing precursors for sperm production and increasing blood testosterone level. Various phytochemical categories including saponins, phytosterols, carotenoids, oxygenated volatile compounds, phenolic compounds and alkaloids seem to be responsible for these beneficial effects. Further studies are recommended for obtaining more conclusive results about the efficacy and safety of the mentioned medicinal plants.

In-vitro efficacy of essential oils, Cinnamon and Tea tree oil against E. coli, S. aureus, and Klebsiella sp. isolated from Buffaloes Suffering from Subclinical Mastitis Corresponding author: 1*,4*

Research

Full-text available

Sep 2024

Cinnamon and Tea tree oil (TTO), an essential oils and plays an important role in antibacterial activity and anti-inflammatory properties. Present study was designed for the in-vitro efficacy of essential oils, Cinnamon and Tea tree oil, against common mastitis causing organisms namely S. aureus E. coli. and Klebsiella sp. A total 360 buffaloes were screened and in-vitro efficacy of essential oils were studied by disc diffusion sensitivity test. It was observed that the antibiogram revealed that E.coli. were 100% sensitive to Cinnamon and TTO. The average zone of inhibition for cinnamon and tea tree oil was 20.50 mm±0.83, and 13.25 mm± 1.10. The zone of inhibition obtained by enrofloxacin was 22.00 mm ± 1.60. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were sensitive to Cinnamon and Tea tree oil showing zone of inhibition to the extent of 16.50 mm ± 0.56, 12.50 mm ± 0.86 respectively in comparison to 21.50 mm± 0.56 for enrofloxacin zone. The zone of inhibition against Klebsiella sp. were maximum for Enrofloxacin 20.00 mm ± 1.72 followed by Cinnamon oil 17.83mm ± 0.48 and Tea tree oil 14.17 mm ± 0.73. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.

Therapeutic effects of cinnamon bark oil on sciatic nerve injury in rats

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamon bark essential oil (CBO) on analgesia, motor activity, balance, and coordination in rats with sciatic nerve damage. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into three groups as simply randomized. The right sciatic nerve (RSN) of the Sham group was explored. Only vehicle solution was applied for 28 days. The RSN of the sciatic nerve injury (SNI) group was explored. Damage was created by unilateral clamping, and vehicle solution was applied for 28 days. The RSN of the sciatic nerve injury+cinnamon bark essential oil (SNI+CBO) group was explored. SNI was created by unilateral clamping and CBO was applied for 28 days. In the experiment study, motor activity, balance, and coordination measurements were made with rotarod and accelerod tests. A hot plate test was performed for analgesia measurements. Histopathology studies were carried out with the sciatic nerve tissues. Results: In the rotarod test, there was a statistically significant difference between the SNI group and the SNI+CBO group (p<0.05). According to the accelerod test findings, there was a statistically significant difference between the SNI group with the Sham and SNI+CBO groups. In the hot plate test, there was a statistically significant difference between the SNI group with the Sham and SNI+CBO groups (p<0.05). In comparison to the Sham group and the SNI group, the SNI+CBO group was shown to have the greatest expression level of vimentin. Conclusions: We have concluded that CBO can be used as an adjuvant treatment in cases of SNI, increased pain, nociception, impaired balance, motor activity, and coordination. Our results will be supported by further studies.

Teat-end Bacterial Load in Buffaloes with Subclinical Mastitis and its Amelioration using Indigenously Prepared Teat Dip

Research

Full-text available

Jun 2022

Mastitis is a worldwide problem of dairy industry that has been the cause of concern from decades with no concrete preventive tool yet. Teat dips have been recommended but still not much in practice by our rural folk. This study determines the efficacy of some essential oils as an alternate to commercially available teat dips in reducing the teat end bacterial count and to optimize the time for post milking teat dips to reduce pathogen loads on teat skin. The percentage reduction of mastitis pathogens on teat skin with 3 teat dips: plain water, commercial antiseptic solution and mixture of cinnamon oil and tea tree oil at 30 second and 15 minute after post dipping was evaluated. The teat-end bacterial load (log 10 TBC value) after washing of udder with water as pre-milking teat disinfectant was 7.814 log 10 cfu/ml. Use of dettol as teat disinfectant reduces teat-end bacterial load (log 10 TBC) to 6.59 log 10 cfu/ml after 30 sec. of application of dettol disinfectant, but after 15 minute it again increased tolog10 TBC value 7.309 log 10 cfu/ml. Teat dipping with the mixture of Cinnamon and Tea-tree oil reduced the teat-end bacterial load to log10 TBC value 6.759 log 10 cfu/ml within 30 second and 6.944 log 10 cfu/ml at 15 min. interval. It can be concluded that different mastitis pathogens may possess different sensitivities to teat dips, and essential oils of Cinnamon and tea tree oil can be effectively used as post milking teat dip. Furthermore, a 15 minute post-milking dip contact time for oil and 30 s for dettol dips may be optimal in reducing pathogen load.

Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: Evidence From a Research Perspective

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2022

Male fertility potential can be influenced by a variety of conditions that frequently coincide. Spermatozoa are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage due to their limited antioxidant capacity and cell membrane rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The role of oxidative stress (OS) in the etiology of male infertility has been the primary focus of our Stellenbosch University Reproductive Research Group (SURRG) over the last 10 years. This review aims to provide a novel insight into the impact of OS on spermatozoa and male reproductive function by reviewing the OS-related findings from a wide variety of studies conducted in our laboratory, along with those emerging from other investigators. We will provide a concise overview of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the development of OS in the male reproductive tract along with the physiological and pathological effects thereof on male reproductive functions. Recent advances in methods and techniques used for the assessment of OS will also be highlighted. We will furthermore consider the current evidence regarding the association between OS and ejaculatory abstinence period, as well as the potential mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of various systemic diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and certain mental health disorders which have been shown to cause OS induced male infertility. Finally, special emphasis will be placed on the potential for transferring and incorporating research findings emanating from different experimental studies into clinical practice.

Erkek infertilitesinde tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamaları: Kanıt düzeyi nedir?

Article

Jan 2021

Matlodextrin-cinnamon essential oil nanoformulation as a potent protective against titanium nanoparticles-induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and reproductive disturbances in male mice

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2021
ENVIRON SCI POLLUT R

Recently, bio-nanofabrication becomes one of the widest methods for synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs); however, there is scanty literature exploring the toxicity of these green NPs against living organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective role of encapsulated cinnamon oil (ECO) against titanium oxide nanoparticle (TiO2NP)–induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, and reproductive disturbances in male mice. Sixty male Balb/c mice were distributed into six groups treated orally for 3 weeks and included control group, TiO2NP-treated group (25 mg/kg b.w), ECO at low or high dose–treated groups (50 or 100 mg/kg b.w), and the groups that received TiO2NPs plus ECO at a low or high dose. The results of GC-MS revealed the isolation of 21 compounds and the majority was cinnamaldehyde. The average size zeta potential of TiO2NPs and ECO were 28.9 and 321 nm and −33.97 and −17.35 mV, respectively. TiO2NP administration induced significant changes in liver and kidney function, decreased antioxidant capacity, and increased oxidative stress markers in liver and kidney, DNA damage in the hepatocytes, the number of chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow and germ cells, and sperm abnormalities along with histological changes in the liver, kidney, and testis. Co-administration of TiO2NPs and ECO could alleviate these disturbances in a dose-dependent manner. It could be concluded that ECO is a promising and safe candidate for the protection against the health hazards of TiO2NPs.

The protective effect of esculetin against aluminium chloride-induced reproductive toxicity in rats

Article

Mar 2021
ANDROLOGIA

One of the prominent health problems caused by Aluminium was the decrease in male fertility rates. In the study, the protective effect of Esculetin (ESC) against the reproductive toxicity induced by Aluminium chloride (AlCl3) was investigated. For this purpose, AlCl3 was administrated to Wistar Albino rats at a dose of 34 mg/kg and ESC was administrated at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 70 days. It was determined that AlCl3 treatment reduced sperm motility and concentration, increased dead/live rate and abnormal sperm rate. It decreased serum testosterone level, and co‐treatment of ESC significantly regulated these values. In the AlCl3‐treated group, MDA level increased and GSH level, GPx and CAT activities decreased compared with those of the control group. However, co‐treatment of ESC showed an amelioratory effect on the values except for CAT activity. It was observed that the expression level of NRF‐2 increased in the ESC and AlCl3 + ESC groups, and NF‐κB increased in the AlCl3 group with the control group. It was determined that Caspase‐3 expression decreased, and Bcl‐2 expression increased in AlCl3 + ESC group compared to AlCl3 group. It was also determined that AlCl3‐induced tissue injury was significantly prevented by ESC co‐treatment.

Erkek infertilitesi ve erektil disfonksiyon tedavisinde tamamlayıcı tıp: Moleküler düzeyde etki mekanizmaları ve klinik sonuçlar

Article

Jan 2020

Tyrosol prevents AlCl3 induced male reproductive damage by suppressing apoptosis and activating the Nrf‐2/HO‐1 pathway

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2019
ANDROLOGIA

Aluminium is a ubiquitous element that occurs naturally in the soil making human exposure to it is unavoidable. Tyrosol is present in olive oil and is known to have antioxidant effects. Therefore, the present study explores the toxic effects of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) and evaluates the possible protection by tyrosol in male rats. Testicular injury was induced by the administration of AlCl3 (34 mg kg−1 day−1). Rats were treated with either tyrosol (20 mg kg−1 day−1) or AlCl3 (34 mg kg−1 day−1). The experiment lasted for 10 weeks. Biochemical, histopathological and protein expression profiles were determined to decipher the role of tyrosol in protecting the cellular damage. Further, histomorphometric analyses of testes showed deranged architecture along with other noted abnormalities. AlCl3 group rats' testes showed decreased GSH levels, CAT activities, Nrf‐2, HO‐1, bcl‐2 expressions and sperm motility whereas increased caspase‐3 expressions, MDA levels, abnormal and dead/live sperm ratio. However, tyrosol treatment attenuated these changes. The present results demonstrate the beneficial role of tyrosol treatment in AlCl3 induced testicular toxicity alterations of rat.

Antibacterial activity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) essential oil and cinnamaldehyde against fish pathogenic bacteria isolated from cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2019

Antibacterial activity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) essential oil (CEO) and cinnamaldehyde was tested against seven Gram negative and nine Gram positive fish pathogenic bacteria isolated from cultured olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in Korea. Disk diffusion assay, MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) tests were done. Cinnamon and cinnamaldehyde inhibited the growth of both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. Cinnamaldehyde showed lower MIC values than CEO which ranged from 0.001 to 0.015% (V/V). CEO (MBC/MIC 2-4) was bactericidal for all tested strains while cinnamaldehyde was bactericidal for all except 6 strains. For all fish pathogenic bacteria, the inhibition zone diameter (IZD) increased in proportion to the oil concentration and the maximum effect was found at 100% (V/V) concentration of CEO and cinnamaldehyde. The antibiogram pattern indicated that all the bacterial strains excluding three strains of Streptococcus iniae (S186, S530 and S131) showed resistance to one or more antibiotics. Higher percentages of relative inhibition zone diameter (RIZD %) were exhibited at higher concentrations of CEO and cinnamaldehyde. Since antibacterial activities of CEO and cinnamaldehyde were considerably effective against fish pathogenic bacteria, these could be used as alternatives to treat bacterial infections in aquaculture.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Darchini): A Boon to Medical Science and a Possible Therapy for Stress-Induced Ailments

Article

Jan 2019
CRIT REV EUKAR GENE

Plants have been an imperative source of medicine and drugs for therapy of different ailments in humans from the early history until today. Many phytochemicals present in plants act as antioxidants and are utilized as health-protecting agents. Cinnamon, a widely used spice and folk medicine obtained from Cinnamomum zeylanicum, is an effective therapy for various diseases because of its antioxidant and protective efficacy. In the present review, we investigate the beneficial effects of cinnamon on stress-induced ailments. The data regarding therapeutic effects of cinnamon on stress-induced conditions were systematically collected from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science databases published in the English language from 2000 until July 2018 with the following terms: cinnamon, antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory, and multifaceted plant. The articles reviewed demonstrated that free radicals play a significant role in the pathophysiology of oxidative stress-associated diseases; therefore cinnamon, with its free radical scavenging activity, represents a promising therapeutic option for ameliorating these debilitating conditions. In this context, the use of cinnamon and its derivatives might be a beneficial way to reduce oxidative stress-induced complications. However, more studies are needed at the molecular level to understand the pathophysiology of the clinical conditions observed as a result of oxidative stress.

The Effect of Noise Stress on Adult Male Rat Sperm Parameters and the Protective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Cinnamomum verum Extract: An Experimental Study

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2018

Background: Noise is one of the harmful environmental factors and an inevitable phenomenon in workplaces. Noise stress can lead to endocrine and reproductive system disorders. Objectives: This experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of noise stress on sperm parameters and the protective effect of hydroalcoholic Cinnamomum verum extract in adult rats. Methods: A total of 32 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8). Group 1 was treated with distilled water (control), Group 2 was treated with 75 mg kg-1 hydroalcoholic C. verum extract, Group 3 was exposed to noise (100 dB) for the eighth/day, and Group 4 was exposed to noise and treated with 75mgkg-1 hydroalcoholic C. verum extract by gavage. After 50 days, the rats were anesthetized, blood samples were collected, and the cauda epididymis was removed to examine sperm parameters. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: In Group 3, noise stress significantly decreased the levels of sex hormones (LH, FSH, and testosterone), sperm viability, and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm compared to the control group. In Group 2, the levels of sex hormones and sperm parameters increased significantly compared to the control group. Comparison of the results of Groups 3 and 4 showed the protective effect of C. verum extract on the levels of sex hormones and sperm viability. Conclusions: It is recommended to investigate the action mechanism of C. verum effect on the male reproductive system of animal models and humans who work in noisy environments

Encapsulation of cinnamon essential oil in whey protein enhances the protective effect against single or combined sub-chronic toxicity of fumonisin B1 and/or aflatoxin B1 in rats

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2018
ENVIRON SCI POLLUT R

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are fungal metabolites that frequently co-occur in foodstuffs and are responsible for mycotoxicosis and several primary cancers. Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) has a spacious range of benefit effects but also has some limitations owing to its strong taste or its interaction with some drugs. This study aimed to use the cinnamon oil emulsion droplets (COED) for the protection against oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rats sub-chronically exposed to FB1 and/or AFB1. The composition of CEO was identified using GC-MS then was encapsulated using whey protein as wall material. Male rats were divided into eight groups and treated orally for 8 weeks as follows: control group, AFB1-trreated group (80 μg/kg b.w), FB1-treated group (100 mg/kg b.w), FB1 plus AFB1-treated group, and the groups treated with COED plus FB1 and/or AFB1. Blood and samples of the kidney, liver, and testis were collected for different analysis and histopathological examination. The GC-MS analysis revealed that cinnamaldehyde, α-copaene, trans-cinnamaldehyde, caryophyllene, and delta-cadinene were the main compounds in COE. The average size of COED was 235 ± 1.4 nm and the zeta potential was − 6.24 ± 0.56. Treatment with FB1 and/or AFB1 induced significant disturbances in the serum biochemical analysis, oxidative stress parameters, DNA fragmentation, gene expression, and testosterone and severe pathological changes in the tested organs. Moreover, treatment with both mycotoxins induced synergistic toxic effects. COED did not induce toxic effects and could normalize the majority of the tested parameters and improve the histological picture in rats treated with FB1 and/or AFB1. It could be concluded that COED induce potential protective effects against the single or combined exposure to FB1 and AFB1.

Holştayn Bir İnekte Lumpy Skin Disease (Nodüler Ekzantem) Olgusu A Lumpy Skin Disease (Nodular Exanthem) Case in A Holstein Cow

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2018

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) sığırlarda Capripox virus cinsi bir virüs tarafından meydana getirilen, yüksek ateş ve deride multifokal nodüllerin oluşmasıyla karakterize olan akut bulaşıcı viral bir hastalıktır. Hastalık, Ortadoğu ve Afrika'da endemik olarak görülmekte ve önemli ekonomik kayıplara neden olmaktadır. Bu olgu sunumunda Şırnak İli Merkez mahallesinde Holştayn ırkı bir inekte karşılaşılan LSD enfeksiyonunun bildirilmesi amaçlandı. Hayvan sahibi tarafından 09 Mayıs 2014 tarihinde ineğin vücudunun her tarafında şişliklerin görüldüğüne dair İl Gıda Tarım ve Hayvancılık Müdürlüğü'ne başvuruldu. Anamnezde anoreksi, süt verimi ve canlı ağırlık artışında azalma, klinik incelemede deride birkaç cm büyüklüğünde multifokal nodüller, subkapsular ve prefemoral lenf yumrularında büyüme saptandı. Bu bulgular doğrultusunda hastalığın LSD olabileceği düşünülerek alınan defibrine kan örneği Adana Veteriner Kontrol Enstitü Müdürlüğü'ne, deriden alınan nodüller ise Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Patoloji Anabilim Dalı'na gönderildi. Enstitünün Moleküler Biyoloji Laboratuvarında Real Time PCR ile yapılan analiz sonucunda LSD pozitif olduğu tespit edildi. Histopatoljikal olarak epidermis ve kıl follikülü epitel hücrelerinde balonumsu dejeneasyon, akantozis, dermiste ödem, vaskülitis ve trombozlar, yangısal hücre infiltrasyonları ile karakterize dermatitis belirlendi. Koyun çiçeği hücrelerine benzer histiyositlerin ve makrofajların bir kısmında eozinofilik intrastoplazmik inkluzyonlar görüldü. Sonuç olarak, Holştayn ırkı bir inekte deride görülen fokal dissemine nodüler lezyonlar ile karakterize LSD enfeksiyonu patolojik bulgularıyla ülkemizde ilk kez tanımlanmıştır. Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is an acute and contagious disease caused by a virus that belongs to Capripox virus genus and characterized by high fever and multifocal nodules on skin in cattle. LSD is endemic in Middle East and Africa causing significant economical losses. In this case report, it was aimed to report LSD infection in a Holstein cattle which was located in the central district of Şırnak City. On 09 May 2014, the owner of the animal reported to the Food, Agriculture and Livestock Directory of Şırnak about the swellings all around his animal's body. After clinical examination, multifocal nodules in several centimeters size on skin and subcutis were found and also in anamnesis anorexia, a decline in milk production and live weight gain were determined. Subcapsular and prefemoral lymph nodes were rather enlarged. Related with these symptoms under the suspicion of LSD, taken defibrinate blood sample was sent to Adana Veterinary Control Institute and nodules obtained from skin were sent to University of Yüzüncü Yıl Veterinary Medicine Faculty Department of Pathology. After the analysis with the Real Time PCR in the molecularbiology laboratory of the Institute, the blood sample were reported as LSD positive. Histopathologically, dermatitis was observed which was characterized by balloon degeneration and hyperplasia in the epithelial cells of the epidermis and hair follicles, acanthosis, multifocal necrosis in the dermis with the infiltration of inflammatory cells, vasculitis and thrombosis. Besides, scattered throughout the inflammation were variable numbers of "sheep pox cells" histiocyte-like cells with large vacuolated nuclei and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. As a result, it is the first time in our country that an LSD infection was diagnosed which was characterized by focal disseminate nodular lesions on the skin and subcutis of a Holstein cattle with its macroscopic and microscopic findings.

Effect of gestational diabetes mellitus on testis and pancreatic tissues of male offspring

Article

Feb 2018
ANDROLOGIA

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on some reproductive characteristics, testicular and pancreatic oxidative status and pancreatic endocrine receptor densities of male offspring at post-pubertal stage. A total of 36 1-day-old Wistar Albino male offspring including 12 pups of nontreated mothers (control group), 14 pups of 40 mg/kg STZ-injected mothers (STZ-40 group) and 10 pups of 60 mg/kg STZ-injected mothers (STZ-60 group) were used. The offspring were euthanised on post-natal day 60, their blood, reproductive organs and pancreatic tissues were obtained and examined. When compared with the control group, there was a significant decrease in body and absolute reproductive organ weights, serum testosterone level, testicular and pancreatic catalase activities, pancreatic glutathione level, epididymal sperm concentration of both STZ-40 and STZ-60 groups as well as in testicular glutathione level of only STZ-60 group. Significant increases were determined in testicular and pancreatic malondialdehyde level and glutathione peroxidase activity in both groups and in fasting serum glucose of only STZ-60 group in comparison with the control group. Although some histopathological damages were observed in testes of both STZ-40 and STZ-60 groups, there were no detectable differences between the groups in density of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin receptors in pancreas. In conclusion, GDM has negative effects on reproductive efficiency and testicular–pancreatic tissue oxidant/antioxidant balance of male offspring at post-pubertal stage.

Study the Association Between Diet Program on Human Semen, Biological Profile, and Anthropometric Measurements in Obese Men

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2018

Obesity has grown leading global health issues owing to its strong association with a high incidence of diseases that including male infertility. Infertility is the disability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve pregnancy and reproduce. Congenital factors, acquired urogenital abnormalities, urogenital tract infections, endocrine disturbances, genetic abnormalities, immunological factors, obesity and lifestyle factors are among of infertility causes. Seminal analysis and serum levels of testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4) as well as biological profile and anthropometric measurements in obese men evaluated before and after six-month weight loss programme as compared with baseline and reference range. There is a significant reduction in weight and high improvement semen, hormonal, biological profile and anthropometric measurements as compared to the reference range. The results may be due to the combination of the weight loss and improved nutrition.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Linn. The spice with multi potential

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2016

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Linn. has been used as a spice and flavoring agents. It is one of the healthiest spices and possesses useful medicinal benefits. It has been recognized as the medicinally essential phytocon stituents, such as phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid. It is loaded with rich amount of polyphenols, which are the powerful antioxidants. It inhibits the growth of certain bacteria and fungi. It dramatically reduce insulin resistance, there by helps insulin to reduce blood glucose. It also slow down the break down of carbohydrate by interfering with carbohydrate digesting enzymes and decreases the entry of glucose from intestine to bloodstream. It reduces the growth of cancer cells. Numerous pharmacological investigations have confirmed that the ability of this plant is to exhibit hepatoprotective, cardio protective, and neuroprotective activities and it supports the traditional uses. Present review gives a detailed information on recent literatures describing the multipotential uses of C. zeylanicum available for the treating various ailments.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Linn. The spice with multi potential

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2016

Cinnamomum zeylanicum Linn. has been used as a spice and flavoring agents. It is one of the healthiest spices and possesses useful medicinal benefits. It has been recognized as the medicinally essential phytoconstituents, such as phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid. It is loaded with rich amount of polyphenols, which are the powerful antioxidants. It inhibits the growth of certain bacteria and fungi. It dramatically reduce insulin resistance, there by helps insulin to reduce blood glucose. It also slow down the break down of carbohydrate by interfering with carbohydrate digesting enzymes and decreases the entry of glucose from intestine to bloodstream. It reduces the growth of cancer cells. Numerous pharmacological investigations have confirmed that the ability of this plant is to exhibit hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activities and it supports the traditional uses. Present review gives a detailed information on recent literatures describing the multipotential uses of C. zeylanicum available for the treating various ailments.

''The Use of Medicinal Herbs in Gynecological and Pregnancy-Related Disorders by Jordanian Women: A Review of Folkloric Practice vs. Evidence-Based Pharmacology''

Article

Jan 2016
PHARM BIOL

Context: National statistical reports in Jordan indicate a decrease in the total fertility rate along with a parallel increase in contraceptive use. The folkloric use of medicinal herbs in gynecological disorders has been growing in Jordan, despite of deficient reports on the evidence-based safety and efficacy of these practices. Objective: The aim of this comprehensive article is to review medicinal plants with claimed ethnonpharmacological usage in various gynecological and pregnancy-related issues in Jordan, and to assess their evidence-based pharmacological studies as well as their phytochemistry. Methods: The published literature was surveyed using Google Scholar entering the terms "ethnopharmacology AND Jordan AND infertility AND gynecology OR gestation". We included ethnopharmacological surveys in Jordan with available full-text. Results: Twelve articles were reviewed. Plant species which are commonly used for female gynecological issues such as Artemisia monosperma Del. and A. herba-alba Asso. (Asteraceae) have been found to exert antifertility effect. Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) and Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) had antifertility effects in male rats but Nigella sativa oil L. (Ranunculaceae) and Cinnamon zeylanicum J. Presl (Lauraceae) were found to enhance it. Conclusion: Using plants for gynecological disorders is a common practice in Jordan. Many of them, whether utilized for gynecological or non-gynecological conditions equally, were found to have detrimental effects on female or male fertility. Thus, couples planning pregnancy should be discouraged from the consumption of these herbs. Further local studies are warranted to confirm the appreciable beneficial pharmacological effects and safety of these plants.

In-vitro effects of Thymus munbyanus essential oil and thymol on human sperm motility and function

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2015

Traditional medicine has been used worldwide for centuries to cure or prevent disease and for male or female contraception. Only a few studies have directly investigated the effects of herbal compounds on spermatozoa. In this study, essential oil from Thymus munbyanus was extracted and its effect on human spermatozoa in vitro was analysed. Gas chromatography and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses identified 64 components, accounting for 98.9% of the composition of the oil. The principal components were thymol (52.0%), γ-terpinene (11.0%), ρ-cymene (8.5%) and carvacrol (5.2%). Freshly ejaculated spermatozoa was exposed from control individuals to various doses of the essential oil for different time periods, and recorded the vitality, the mean motility, the movement characteristics (computer-aided sperm analysis), the morphology and the ability to undergo protein hyperphosphorylation and acrosomal reaction, which constitute two markers of sperm capacitation and fertilizing ability. In vitro, both the essential oil extracted from T. munbyanus and thymol, the principal compound present in this oil, impaired human sperm motility and its capacity to undergo hyperphosphorylation and acrosome reaction. These compounds may, therefore, be of interest in the field of reproductive biology, as potential anti-spermatic agents. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Relationship between Male Sexual Dysfunction, Fertility Power and Heart Function: Avicenna’s Standpoint

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2024

Honey has been used since ancient times to treat various diseases such as gynecological diseases. The current study aims to investigate clinical trials related to the therapeutic effects of honey on women’s diseases. Databases including Web of Sci- ence, Scopus, PubMed, Google scholar, and SID were investigated for clinical studies focusing on honey in gynecological diseases up to 31 June 2022. Eligibility was checked based on selection criteria. Twenty-five clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Therapeutic properties of honey and its compounds as a systemic and/or local treatment on vulvovaginal candidiasis, cervicitis, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, labor pain, episiotomy and cesarean wounds, nipple fissure, breast cancer and intrauterine insemination (IUI), with the mechanisms of action of antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, analgesic, antioxidant and anticancer activities have been proven. It was also found that phenolic compounds includ- ing flavonoids and phenolic acids are the main ones responsible for most of these therapeutic effects of honey. This study supports the healing properties of honey in gynecological diseases at reproductive age. Also, in the current studies, honey proved safe with minor adverse effects. Of course, to achieve definitive conclusions about the effectiveness and safety of honey, it is necessary to conduct more clinical trials with a larger sample size, appropriate intervention duration, and optimal doses in future studies.

Oxidative stress, mechanisms, and subfertility in male

Chapter

Jan 2024

Syringin alleviates bisphenol A-induced spermatogenic defects and testicular injury by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation in male zebrafish

Article

Mar 2024

EXCEPTIONAL ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF URTICA DIOICA EXTRACT ON MOTILITY AND SOME OTHER POST THAWED GOAT SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS

Article

Jan 2023

The Role of Melatonin to Ameliorate Oxidative Stress in Sperm Cells

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2023
INT J MOL SCI

It is widely accepted that oxidative stress (OS) coming from a wide variety of causes has detrimental effects on male fertility. Antioxidants could have a significant role in the treatment of male infertility, and the current systematic review on the role of melatonin to ameliorate OS clearly shows that improvement of semen parameters follows melatonin supplementation. Although melatonin has considerable promise, further studies are needed to clarify its ability to preserve or restore semen quality under stress conditions in varied species. The present review examines the actions of melatonin via receptor subtypes and its function in the context of OS across male vertebrates.

Phytochemicals: Alternative for Infertility Treatment and Associated Conditions

Article

Full-text available

May 2023
OXID MED CELL LONGEV

Infertility and obstetric complications have become global health issues in the past few years. Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive even after twelve months or more of regular and unprotected intercourse. According to WHO data published in the year 2020, 186 million people have infertility globally. Factors leading to infertility are variable in both males and females. But some common factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and stress. Various synthetic drugs and treatment options are available that are effective in treating infertility, but their prolonged usage produces various unwanted adverse effects like hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, and weight gain. In extreme cases, these may also lead to the development of anxiety and depression. Herbal remedies have gained a lot of popularity over the years, and people’s inclination toward them has increased all over the world. The prime reason is that these show significant therapeutic efficacy and have fewer side effects. The therapeutic efficacy of plants can be attributed to the presence of diverse phytochemical classes of constituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, and volatile oils. These secondary metabolites, or phytomolecules, can be used to develop herbal formulations. The review highlights the applications and mechanisms of action of various phytochemicals for treating infertility. Also, it focuses on the various future prospects associated with it.

Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: Role of Herbal Drugs

Chapter

Dec 2022
ADV EXP MED BIOL

Infertility is a universal health problem affecting 15% of couples, out of which 20–30% cases are due to male infertility. The leading causes of male infertility include hormonal defects, physical reasons, sexual problems, hazardous environment, stressful lifestyle, genetic factors, epigenetic factors, and oxidative stress. Various physiological functions involve reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species at appropriate levels for proper smooth functioning. ROS control critical reproductive processes such as capacitation, acrosomal reaction, hyperactivation, egg penetration, and sperm head decondensation. The excessive free radicals or imbalance between ROS and endogenous antioxidant enzymes damages sperm membrane by inducing lipid peroxidation causing mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage that eventually lead to male infertility. Numerous synthetic products are available in the market to treat infertility problems, largely ending in side effects and repressing symptoms. Ayurveda contains a particular group of Rasayana herbs, called vajikarana, that deals with nourishment and stimulation of sexual tissues, improves male reproductive vitality, and deals with oxidative stress via antioxidant mechanism. The present study aims to describe oxidative stress and the role of herbal drugs in treating male infertility.KeywordsOxidative stressVajikaranaAntioxidantHerbal drugsMale infertility

An Overview of Potential Applications for Nanotechnology, Probiotics, and Medicinal Plants in Infertility Problems

Article

Apr 2022
Curr Wom Health Rev

Various assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are applied in infertility treatment. However, considerable attention is addressed to using alternative approaches such as non-biotechnology, probiotics, and traditional medicinal plants to treat cancerous and non-cancerous cases of infertility. Nanotechnology has been remarkably aided in treatment, diagnosis, and drug delivery. The available evidence of this technology could show the great potential of nanomaterials and their feasibility in clinical trials for investigating reproductive problems. Regarding the effect of the microbiome in infertility and the extensive positive roles of probiotics in different diseases such as colon cancer, obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease, studies must be focused on infertility. Healthy reproductive systems are important for successful fertility in males and females, and using probiotics can help reduce the associated complications. In addition, in vivo models are required to determine the probiotics proper administration, identify the functional species, effective doses, administration forms, and the effects of their combination with conventional antibiotics. Besides, the role of medicinal plants should be considered, particularly in male infertility and improving sperm abnormalities. Medicinal plant effects refer to their antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory responses, increasing the production of sperm, and raising the blood level of testosterone. Further research is proposed to document certain results about which responsible compounds are with effective and safe fertility potential. This review presents an overview of potential applications for nanotechnology, probiotics, and medicinal plants in infertility, discussing the advantages, their feasibility, and associated concerns, which demand more investigations to set of clinical applications.

Cistanoside of Cistanche Herba ameliorates hypoxia-induced male reproductive damage via suppression of oxidative stress

Article

May 2021

Increasing evidence shows that hypoxia is a cause of male infertility, and hypoxia may be related to oxidative stress (OS). Cistanoside (Cis) is a phenylethanoid glycoside compound that can be extracted from Cistanches Herba and possesses various biological functions. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Cis on reproductive damage induced by hypoxia and explore the specific underlying mechanisms. Cell and animal hypoxia experimental models were constructed, and the protective effects of different subtypes of Cis on the male reproductive system were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that hypoxia significantly reduced the viability of GC-1 cells through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis activation, which were associated with increased OS. Moreover, Cis showed strong antioxidative effects both in vitro and in vivo, significantly restoring antioxidant enzyme activities and downregulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels while increasing cell viability and decreasing apoptosis. Importantly, the Cis subtypes (Cis-A, Cis-B, Cis-C and Cis-H) studied herein all showed certain antioxidant effects, among which the effects of Cis-B were the most significant. This study demonstrates that Cis markedly attenuates the harmful effects of hypoxia-induced OS by affecting antioxidant enzyme activities in testes and GC-1 cells.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum alleviate testicular damage induced by high fat diet in albino rats; histological and ultrastructural studies

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2020

Hyperlipidemia has been related to sever health outcome include cardiovascular complication, metabolic disorders and infertility. Moreover, obesity has also been linked to dangerous effects on testicular morphology, spermatogenesis and sperm malformation. Many studies using different herbal medicines exert protective and therapeutic effect on the testes, spermatogenesis and fertility in animals fed high fat diet. Objective: this study aimed to find out the protective effect of cinnamon on testes of albino rat fed high fat diet (HFD). Forty adult male albino rats were selected and equally divided into 4 groups. Group 1: animals of this group were fed standard diet. Group 2: rats were fed standard diet and cinnamon “15% weight by weight, w/w” for 8 weeks. Group 3: animals in this group were fed HFD (2% cholesterol, 15 % sucrose, 15% corn, 15% cocoa butter, starch and 4.7% cellulose) for 8 weeks. Group 4: animals in this group were fed HFD and cinnamon. At the end of 4 weeks half animals were sacrificed and the rest of animals were sacrificed at the end of 8 weeks and blood samples were collected to assay the testosterone level. As well as testes were taken and prepared for both histological and ultrastructure studies. Histological examination of testicular tissue of HFD-fed animals revealed many pathological changes include degenerated seminiferous tubules, distorted germinal layers and interstitial tissue appeared degenerated with intertubular hemorrhage. Ultrastructural observations showed severe degenerated features including both different types of spermatogonia and interstitial tissue. On the other hand, both histological and ultrastructural alterations were substantially but not completely protect in obese animals fed HFD and cinnamon for 4 weeks while advanced degree of improvement tissue appeared after 8 weeks of the same treatment. As well as, significantly increase in the level of testosterone was recorded when compared with HFD-fed animals. The present work concluded that cinnamon dietary uptake may improve testicular damage induced by HFD as it has anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and antioxidant activities.

Combination of Andrographis panniculata Ness, Curcuma xanthoriza Roxb and Cinnamommum burmanii as Appetite Enhancer with Low Infertility Risk

Article

Jun 2020
Res J Med Plant

Dietary trans-cinnamaldehyde improves oxidative stress response of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) following Edwardsiella ictaluri infection

Article

Sep 2020
AQUACULTURE

Abstract Commercial channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is an economically valuable agricultural commodity in the United States, which suffers heavily from bacterial pathogens including Edwardsiella ictaluri. Our previous study revealed that dietary trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) reduces catfish mortality after E. ictaluri infection, but there is limited knowledge of the effect of TC on the antioxidant defense system in catfish. In this study, we aimed to investigate the response of the catfish antioxidant defense system following TC feeding as well as E. ictaluri infection. In the first experiment, catfish fingerlings were fed with a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with TC (20 mg/kg diet) for 10 days, and the level of five oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in the hepatic tissue. Compared with the control group, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased significantly and the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in hepatic tissue of catfish that were fed a TC-supplemented diet. Whereas activities of catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as nitric oxide (NO) concentration did not show significant differences between TC and control groups. In the second experiment, catfish fingerlings were fed a TC-supplemented or normal diet followed by infection with E. ictaluri, and the activities of oxidative biomarkers were measured on 1, 6, and 14-days post-infection (dpi). Significant (P < 0.001) increases in CAT, SOD, and GSH activities were observed in catfish fed TC when compared with those fish fed a normal diet on 1, 6, and 14 dpi. A significant (P < 0.001) decrease in NO and MDA concentrations were found in catfish that received a TC diet compared to the control group at 1, 6, and 14 dpi. In conclusion, dietary TC improved the oxidative stress response in catfish following E. ictaluri challenge. These results provide information regarding the mechanisms by which TC provides protection against E. ictaluri infection. Keywords Edwardsiella ictaluriChannel catfishOxidative stressTrans-cinnamaldehyde

Ameliorating Effects of Natural Antioxidant Compounds on Female Infertility: a Review

Article

Sep 2020
REPROD SCI

The prevalence of female infertility cases has been increasing at a frightening rate, affecting approximately 48 million women across the world. However, oxidative stress has been recognized as one of the main mediators of female infertility by causing various reproductive pathologies in females such as endometriosis, PCOS, preeclampsia, spontaneous abortion, and unexplained infertility. Nowadays, concerned women prefer dietary supplements with antioxidant properties over synthetic drugs as a natural way to lessen the oxidative stress and enhance their fertility. Therefore, the current review is an attempt to explore the efficacy of various natural antioxidant compounds including vitamins, carotenoids, and plant polyphenols and also of some medicinal plants in improving the fertility status of females. Our summarization of recent findings in the current article would pave the way toward the development of new possible antioxidant therapy to treat infertility in females. Natural antioxidant compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and other dietary sources, alone or in combination with other antioxidants, were found to be effective in ameliorating the oxidative stress-mediated infertility problems in both natural and assisted reproductive settings. Numerous medicinal plants showed promising results in averting the various reproductive disorders associated with female infertility, suggesting a plant-based herbal medicine to treat infertility. Although optimum levels of natural antioxidants have shown favorable results, however, their excessive intake may have adverse health impacts. Therefore, larger well-designed, dose-response studies in humans are further warranted to incorporate natural antioxidant compounds into the clinical management of female infertility.

Antimicrobial Compounds from Medicinal Plants: Effects on Antibiotic Resistance to Human Pathogens

Chapter

Full-text available

Dec 2019

Protective effect of cinnamon extract on sex hormones, body weight and testis weight of adult male rat exposed to noise and vibration

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2018

Introduction: Due to the high prevalence of noise and vibration in workplaces and focused of Previous studies on the auditory and musculoskeletal effects of these two harmful factors, The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of cinnamon extract on sex hormones levels, body weight and testis weight of adult rats exposed to noise and vibration. Material and Methods: 64 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight groups of 8 each. Group 1; treated with distilled water (Control), group 2; treated with 75 mg kg-1 cinnamon extract, group 3; exposed to noise(100 dB), 8 h/day(23:00-7:00) and group 4; exposed to noise and treated with 75 mg kg-1 cinnamon extract, group 5; exposed to vibration(1 m/s2), 8 h/day (23:00-7:00), group 6; exposed to vibration and treated with 75 mg kg-1 cinnamon extract, group 7; exposed to noise and vibration, 8 h/day (23:00-7:00) and group 8; exposed to noised and vibration and treated with 75 mg kg-1 cinnamon extarct by gavage. Fifty days later, the rats were anesthetized, blood samples to determine the amount of sex hormones were collected, and the testis was removed for weight determination. Data was analyesd by SPSS. Results: Noise stress decreased the level of three hormones (LH, FSH and Testosterone) while vibration decreased testosterone levels merely (P<0.05).Combined exposure to noise and vibration was able to create a significant difference with control group in testosterone and LH hormone levels (P<0.05). The three factors of noise, vibration and combine of them were able to create a significant difference with control group in final body weight (P<0.05). Cinnamon extract increased the level of sex hormones compared to control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Cinnamon extract (due to antioxidant properties) has a protective effect on sex hormone levels in rats exposed to noise and vibration. It’s suggested further studies to determine the mechanism of cinnamon extract (in different doses) in human and animal samples

Protective effects of Cinnamon hydro-alcoholic extract on liver lesions induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and sodium nitrite poisoning in adult male rats.

Article

Full-text available

May 2019

Ebrahim Hosseini

Background and aims: Cinnamon by reducing the oxidative stress level causes improving the oxidative attributes. Fatty liver disorder and the use of food preservatives such as sodium nitrite as well as fatty liver disease cause liver disorders and relevant diseases around the world. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effects of cinnamon extract on histological changes induced by high-fat diet and sodium nitrite in adult male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 80 adult male rats were used. The adult rats are divided in control group (un treated), sham (treated with solvent), 7 experimental groups receiving high-fat diet(10ml/kg), cinnamon extract (60mg/kg), sodium nitrite (45mg/kg), cinnamon with sodium nitrite, cinnamon with high-fat diet, sodium nitrite with high-fat diet, high-fat diets with sodium nitrite and cinnamon were performed. The prescriptions have been done through gavage in 60 days. At the end, after anesthetizing rats, their livers were seperated and after preparing tissue sections, liver cells were counted. The obtained results of tissue studies and cell counting have been analyzed using SPSS software through ANOVA and Duncan tests. In this study, data difference was significant (P<0.05). Results: The results showed a significant increase and decrease in the groups receiving high-fat diet and sodium nitrite, respectivly in Kupffer cells numbers and Hepatocytes (P<0.01). It was also observed changes such as Hyperemia, coagulation necrosis, cell swelling, vacuoles erosion, lymphocytic infiltration, apoptosis, hyperemia, ballooning hepatocytes in liver tissue structure. So, changes in the groups receiving cinnamon with high-fat diet and sodium nitrite modified. Conclusion: High-fat diets and sodium nitrite likely causes liver tissue damage by oxidative stress. Cinnamon extract may also with strong antioxidant properties prevent sodium nitrite destructive effects and high-fat diet on liver tissue.Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences (J Shahrekord Univ Med Sci) 2018; 19(6): 13-23.

Effect of noise pollution on male fertility (Review)

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2016

Background: Noise as a most common harmful physical agent in workplaces has some effects on the exposed persons such as hearing threshold reduction, increasing blood pressure, and interference with the speech. The adverse side-effect of noise is one of the scientific areas that have seldom been considered by researchers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational noise on the male fertility (human and experimental animals) to be finally able to provide solutions for the future orientation of research studies, and on the other hand, to increase awareness in industrial divisions about effects of noise stress on workers fertility. Materials and Methods: In this study, we conducted the bibliographic search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases and studies about effects of workplaces noise on the male fertility with keywords such as fertility, noise, and testicular damage were selected. Results: Male infertility is a major health problem in the world. According to different study, Noise can impact on testis weight, sperm parameters (count, viability, motility and morphology), sexual hormones, testicular tissue, oxidative stress and finally infertility. Conclusions: The results of this study shows that noise exposure plays an important role as an environmental risk factor for male fertility; therefore, it is necessary to formulate guidelines for occupational exposure limits of noise effects, exposure time, use or not usage of supplemental antioxidants and to consider fertility and not be confined merely to the effects of noise on hearing system.

Kadın cinselliğinde gelenekler ve kültür

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2013

Yeliz Kaya

Review of local herbal compounds found in the Iranian traditional medicine known to optimise male fertility

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2016
ANDROLOGIA

The male reproductive function can be influenced by many different factors, including genetic, environmental and socioeconomic parameters leading to a progressive decline. However, the cause of infertility cannot be found in a significant proportion of couples, and even with the presence of the sign of testicular dysfunction or obstructive azoospermia, the main aetiology is not identified. In the absence of knowledge about predisposing factor, targeted therapeutic modalities for male infertility may not be possible, and a wide variety of empiric drug approaches, even with low scientific evidence, have been utilised in current conventional medicine. According to the recently updated reports of the European Association of Urology guidelines on male infertility, the implication of previous recommendations and complementary alternative medicine based on the old literature has been suggested to improve a multifaceted integrative therapeutic approach for this disease. We have reviewed the potential herbal active compounds optimising male fertility, according to the principles of Iranian traditional medicine.

Effects of Pomegranate Seed Oil on the Fertilization Potency of Rat’s Sperm

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2015

Reza Mahmoudi

Background: Pomegranate has been taken great scientific attention in recent years due to its health benefits. Pomegranate seed oil is a rich source of 9-cis, and 11-trans conjugate linolenic acid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary pomegranate seed oil on the fertilization potency of rat’s sperm. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The first group, which served as the control group, received 1 mL of corn oil for seven weeks. Groups II, III, IV served as the experimental groups received 200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of pomegranate seed oil, for the same period of time respectively. After seven weeks, all of the rats were sacrificed, and their epididymis sperm was collected and added to IVF medium (T6) containing metaphase II oocytes. Almost 21 oocytes had been removed from every female rat oviduct. In this medium, oocyte fertilization, cleavage rates, and embryo development into blastocysts, were evaluated by inverted microscopy. Results: Levels of LD50 in the oral route in male rats were more than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Our data showed that the rates of fertilization, cleavage and embryo development into blastocysts were higher in the groups that had received 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of pomegranate seed oil. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that pomegranate seed oil had a positive effect on the fertilization potency of male rats. These beneficial effects may be useful in assisted reproductive technology.

Essential oils for human health and the environment. Edited by Francesca Mondello, Anna Maria Marella, Maria Grazia Bellardi and Maura Di Vito. Roma: Istituto Superiore di Sanità; 2015. Rapporti ISTISAN 15/6 (in Italian).

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2015

The important State-Regions Agreement ratified on February 7th 2013 entrusts to the Regions the training in complementary medicine such as acupuncture, herbal medicine and homeopathy. Moreover, several scientific studies have shown the potential of natural essential oils, as an integral part of herbal medicine, especially in the prevention and/or treatment of some infectious diseases. For these reasons, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, with the support of the scientific association SIROE (Società Italiana per la Ricerca sugli Oli Essenziali), San Filippo Neri Hospital and the Policlinico Tor Vergata of Rome, proposed this document to report the current scientific evidence relating to the various biological properties of essential oils, with special emphasis on the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of the latter, as a potential alternative to antibiotics against drug resistance. Drawing on the expertise of researchers and teachers from different Italian scientific institutions, this report stands as a valid training tool for a complementary approach in line with current regulations.

Data

Full-text available

Aug 2015

Article

Full-text available

May 2015

Protein measurement with the folin Phenol Reagent

Article

Full-text available

Nov 1951

Effects of Pomegranate Juice Consumption on Sperm Quality, Spermatogenic Cell Density, Antioxidant Activity and Testosterone Level in Male Rats

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Jan 2009

Effects of Dietary Antibiotic and Cinnamon Oil Supplementation on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities, Cholesterol Levels and Fatty Acid Compositions of Serum and Meat in Broiler Chickens

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2010

The aim of the present study was to investigate potential hypocholesterolaemic antioxidant activities of cinnamon oil and antibiotic, and their effects on fatty acid compositions of serum and meat in broilers. A total of 240 Ross-308 chicks, five days old, were divided randomly into four treatment groups composed of 60 chicks each. Experimental groups were: corn-soybean meal basal diet (Control), basal diet supplemented with 10 ppm avilamycin (antibiotic) and 500 or 1000 ppm of cinnamon oil (C500, C1000). Cinnamon oil lowered cholesterol levels of serum (P < 0.01), breast and thigh meat (P < 0.05) in cinnamon groups compared to control and antibiotic groups. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA, nmol/g protein) level was reduced significantly in C1000 group (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px, mu kat/g protein) and catalase (CAT, kat/l) enzyme activities were different among the groups (P < 0.001). The higher levels of GSH-Px and CAT were obtained in C1000 group, the lower levels of these indicators were obtained in the antibiotic group. Total saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio decreased and total unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio, omega-6 fatty acids increased significantly in serum and thigh meat in cinnamon groups (P < 0.01). These results showed that cinnamon oil had hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant characteristics, and it also improved meat quality.

Characterization of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds of cinnamon and ginger essential oils

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2010

Essential oils obtained from the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) and the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger) were characterized by analytical TLC and GC/MS, and their antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds were detected by TLC-bio-autography assays. Essential oil of cinnamon bark (CEO) was found to be a unique aromatic monoterpene-rich natural source, with trans-cinnamaldehyde (45.62%) as the major constituents. Ginger oil (GEO) was characterized by high content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including β-sesquiphellandrene (27.16%), caryophyllene (15.29%), zingiberene (13.97%), α-farnesene (10.52%) and ar-curcumin (6.62%). CEO and GEO oils showed significant inhibitory activity against selected strains of bacteria and pathogenic fungi, with MIC values ranging from 20 to 120 µg/ml depending upon the microbial species. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) and eugenol in cinnamon bark oil and β-sesquiphellandrene, caryophyllene and zingiberene in ginger rhizome oil were identified as the most active antibacterial components, with the aid of bioautography on TLC and GC-MS. Also, both oil exhibited appreciable in vitro antioxidant activity as assessed by 2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching methods, compared to α-tocopherol, BHT and BHA. Guided isolation through TLC-autography using 0.05% DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid as a detection reagent led to identified CA and eugenol as main active antioxidant compounds in CEO. The significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of both oils suggest that it could serve as a source of compounds with preservative phenomenon.

Flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities from Cinnamomum species

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2009
INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG

Cinnamomum has long been regarded as a food or medicinal plant. Leaves of five species of Cinnamomum, namely C. burmanni, C. cassia, C. pauciflorum, C. tamala and C. zeylanica, were chosen to investigate their antioxidant activities in this study. C. zeylanica exhibited the highest total phenolic content while C. burmanni had the highest flavonoid content among the five species. These five species were then screened for their antioxidant potentials using various in-vitro models such as total antioxidant capability, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and superoxide anion scavenging activity at various concentrations. C. zeylanica showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity and reducing power, while C. tamala exhibited the highest superoxide anion scavenging activity. By the analysis of the high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD), three flavonoid compounds namely quercetin, kaempferol and quercetrin were identified and quantified. This study suggested that Cinnamomum leaf can be used potentially as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants.Industrial relevanceThis study was focused to evaluate the antioxidant activities of five species of Cinnamomum leaf which is normally used in medicine and also used in food preparation. This study provided an alternative of utilizing Cinnamomum leaf as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical industry.

Cinnamon and Health

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2010
CRIT REV FOOD SCI

Cinnamon has been used as a spice and as traditional herbal medicine for centuries. The available in vitro and animal in vivo evidence suggests that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, cardiovascular, cholesterol-lowering, and immunomodulatory effects. In vitro studies have demonstrated that cinnamon may act as an insulin mimetic, to potentiate insulin activity or to stimulate cellular glucose metabolism. Furthermore, animal studies have demonstrated strong hypoglycemic properties. However, there are only very few well-controlled clinical studies, a fact that limits the conclusions that can be made about the potential health benefits of cinnamon for free-living humans. The use of cinnamon as an adjunct to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most promising area, but further research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made.

Antiperoxidative and anti-apoptotic effects of lycopene and ellagic acid on cyclophosphamide-induced testicular lipid peroxidation and apoptosis

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2010

The present study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene (LC) and ellagic acid (EA) on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced testicular and spermatozoal toxicity associated with the oxidative stress and apoptosis in male rats. Forty-eight healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups of eight rats each. The control group was treated with placebo; the LC, EA and CP groups were given LC (10 mg kg–1), EA (2 mg kg–1) and CP (15 mg kg–1), respectively, alone; the CP+LC group was treated with a combination of CP (15 mg kg–1) and LC (10 mg kg–1); and the CP+EA group was treated with a combination of CP (15 mg kg–1) and EA (2 mg kg–1). All treatments were maintained for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, bodyweight and the weight of the reproductive organs, sperm concentration and motility, testicular tissue lipid peroxidation, anti-oxidant enzyme activity and apoptosis (i.e. Bax and Bcl-2 proteins) were determined. Administration of CP resulted in significant decreases in epididymal sperm concentration and motility and significant increases in malondialdehyde levels. Although CP significantly increased the number of Bax-positive (apoptotic) cells, it had no effect on the number of Bcl-2-positive (anti-apoptotic) cells compared with the control group. However, combined treatment of rats with LC or EA in addition to CP prevented the development of CP-induced lipid peroxidation and sperm and testicular damage. In conclusion, CP-induced lipid peroxidation leads to structural and functional damage, as well as apoptosis, in spermatogenic cells of rats. Both LC and EA protect against the development of these detrimental effects.

Reactive oxygen species and sperm physiology

Article

Full-text available

Feb 1997
Rev Reprod

Although high concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause sperm pathology (ATP depletion leading to insufficient axonemal phosphorylation, lipid peroxidation and loss of motility and viability), recent evidence demonstrates that low and controlled concentrations of these ROS play an important role in sperm physiology. Reactive oxygen species, such as the superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, induce sperm hyperactivation, capacitation or the acrosome reaction in vitro. The ROS involved in these processes may vary depending on experimental conditions, but all the evidence converges to describe these events as 'oxidative' or 'redox regulated'. Human sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction are associated with extracellular production of a superoxide anion that is thought to originate from a membrane 'oxidase'. The enzymes responsible for tyrosine phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of sperm proteins are possible targets for ROS since mild oxidative conditions cause increases in protein tyrosine phosphorylation and acrosome reaction. The lipid peroxidation resulting from low concentrations of ROS promotes binding to the zona pellucida and may trigger the release of unesterified fatty acids from the sperm plasma membrane. The fine balance between ROS production and scavenging, as well as the right timing and site for ROS production are of paramount importance for acquisition of fertilizing ability.

Toxicity studies in mice of common spices, Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark and Piper longum fruits

Article

Full-text available

Feb 1998

Acute (24 hours) and chronic (90 days) oral toxicity studies on the ethanolic extracts of common spices Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees bark and Piper longum L. fruits were carried out in mice. Acute dosages were 0.5, 1.0 and 3 g/kg while the chronic dosage was 100 mg/kg/day. All external morphological, hematological and spermatogenic changes, in addition to body weight and vital organ weights, were recorded. The extracts of both the plants caused no significant acute or chronic mortality compared to the control during this study. During chronic treatment there was no significant change in the pre- and post treatment body weight of the test animals while the weight gain in the control group was significant. C. zeylanicum treatment caused reduction in liver weight while P. longum caused a significant increase in the weight of the lungs and spleen of the treated animals compared to the control. Hematological studies revealed a significant fall in hemoglobin level of C. zeylanicum treated animals. Both of the extracts induced a significant increase in reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, sperm count and failed to illicit any spermatotoxic effect.

Extracellular matrix: Forum introduction

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2004
REPROD BIOL ENDOCRIN

Daniel D Carson

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is now appreciated as a key regulator of cell and tissue behavior. Support for this notion has been derived from correlative studies demonstrating large changes in the composition and distribution of extracellular matrix components during tissue development, differentiation and in response to hormone/growth factor/cytokine influences. In addition, a variety of functional studies demonstrate ECM-dependent cellular responses in vitro while genetic approaches clearly demonstrate critical requirements for genes encoding ECM components or modifiers of ECM, e.g., metalloproteases, in a wide variety of processes in vivo.

Reactive oxygen species and sperm cells

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2004
REPROD BIOL ENDOCRIN

There is a dynamic interplay between pro- and anti-oxidant substances in human ejaculate. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation can overwhelm protective mechanism and initiate changes in lipid and/or protein layers of sperm plasma membranes. Additionally, changes in DNA can be induced. The essential steps of lipid peroxidation have been listed as well as antioxidant substances of semen. A variety of detection techniques of lipid peroxidation have been summarized together with the lipid components of sperm membranes that can be subjected to stress. It is unsolved, a threshold for ROS levels that may induce functional sperm ability or may lead to male infertility.

Antioxidant stragies in the epididymis

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2004
MOL CELL ENDOCRINOL

Spermatozoa are very specialized cells, dedicated to fertilization of the oocyte. The attainment of this biological role is partly due to the fusogenic properties of the sperm plasma membrane, which is particularly rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This predominance of PUFA renders spermatozoa highly susceptible to lipid peroxidation due to attacks from reactive oxygen species (ROS). These attacks ultimately lead to the impairment of sperm function through oxidative stress. Despite such disruptive effects, it should be also emphasized that these molecules also play an important positive, physiological role in the regulation of sperm physiology through their participation in apoptosis and the signal transduction cascades that control sperm maturation and capacitation. In this article, the different sources of ROS are examined and then the antioxidant strategies that protect these cells during epididymal transit are reviewed. While the major focus is on the involvement of glutathione peroxidase in this process, consideration will also be given to a range of additional antioxidant enzymes (catalase, indolamine dioxygenase and superoxide dismutase) that have evolved to protect spermatozoa during this extremely vulnerable phase in their life history. Besides the classical enzymatic roles of these enzymes in recycling ROS, additional features are discussed in the light of contraceptive development.

Overriding follicle selection in controlled ovarian stimulation protocols: Quality vs quantity

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2004
REPROD BIOL ENDOCRIN

Selection of the species-specific number of follicles that will develop and ovulate during the ovarian cycle can be overridden by increasing the levels of pituitary gonadotropin hormones, FSH and LH. During controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in nonhuman primates for assisted reproductive technology (ART) protocols, the method of choice (but not the only method) has been the administration of exogenous gonadotropins, either of nonprimate or primate origin. Due to species-specificity of the primate LH (but not FSH) receptor, COS with nonprimate (e.g., PMSG) hormones can be attributed to their FSH activity. Elevated levels of FSH alone will produce large antral follicles containing oocytes capable of fertilization in vitro (IVF). However, there is evidence that LH, probably in lesser amounts, increases the rate of follicular development, reduces heterogeneity of the antral follicle pool, and improves the viability and rate of pre-implantation development of IVF-produced embryos. Since an endogenous LH surge typically does not occur during COS cycles (especially when a GnRH antagonist is added), a large dose of an LH-like hormone (i.e., hCG) may be given to reinitiate meiosis and produce fertilizable oocytes. Alternate approaches using exogenous LH (or FSH), or GnRH agonist to induce an endogenous LH surge, have received lesser attention. Current protocols will routinely yield dozens of large follicles with fertilizable eggs. However, limitations include non/poor-responding animals, heterogeneity of follicles (and presumably oocytes) and subsequent short luteal phases (limiting embryo transfer in COS cycles). However, the most serious limitation to further improvements and expanded use of COS protocols for ART is the lack of availability of nonhuman primate gonadotropins. Human, and even more so, nonprimate gonadotropins are antigenic in monkeys, which limits the number of COS cycles to as few as 1 (PMSG) or 3 (recombinant hCG) protocols in macaques. Production and access to sufficient supplies of nonhuman primate FSH, LH and CG would overcome this major hurdle.

The effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on sperm quality, lipid peroxidation and testosterone levels of male Wistar rats

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2005
THERIOGENOLOGY

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation in drinking water on semen quality, lipid peroxidation and plasma testosterone level of male rats. In this investigation, 24 male Wistar rats were used. The animals were divided into three group, and 500, 250 and 0 (control) mg/kg/day ascorbic acid were supplemented with drinking water of rats in Groups A, B and C during 8 weeks, respectively. Ascorbic acid supplementation did not increase in the body weight and weights of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate. Exogenous supplementation with ascorbic acid significantly increased (P<0.05) the concentration of ascorbic acid in the testes and blood plasma, and the level of lipid peroxidation significantly decreased (P<0.05) in these locations. There was no significant difference in spermatozoon motility among the three groups. However, epididymal sperm concentration and plasma testosterone level significantly increased (P<0.05) in the ascorbic acid treated animals when compared to the control animals. The results suggest that ascorbic acid supplementation improves reproductive traits of male rats that are associated with high fertility.

The effect of cinnamon extract on spermatogenesis hormonal axis of pituitary gonad in mice

Article

Jan 2011

Tea and cinnamon polyphenols improve the metabolic syndrome

Article

Nov 2008
AGRO FOOD IND HI TEC

The metabolic syndrome is often a precursor of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Since the metabolic syndrome is multifactorial, strategies for reducing its incidence and consequences must also be multi-factorial. Green tea and cinnamon polyphenols improve glucose, insulin, lipids and related variables, and are anti-inflammatory, function as antioxidants and decrease neurodegeneration. In vitro, animal and human studies support the beneficial roles of cinnamon and tea polyphenols on the metabolic syndrome and risk factors associated with it.

Testicular biopsy score count. A method for registration of spermatogenesis in human testis: Normal values and results in 335 hypogonadal males

Article

Jan 1970

S.G. Johnsen

Effect of cinnamon extract on male reproductive physiology in mice

Article

Sep 2012

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum has many therapeutic effects for example the increasing of sexual ability. In this investigation the effect of cinnamon extract in concentrations 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w. have been worked out on male reproductive physiology in mice. After injection hormonal changes (LH, FSH and testosterone) were investigated. The results showed singnificant increase (P< 0.05) in the concentration of LH, FSH and testosterone hormones. It is concluded that cinnamon extract is useful on male reproductive system.

Non-selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in rat liver

Article

Jan 1976

Catalase, Methods of enzymatic analysis

Article

Jan 1974

H.E. Aebi

Protein measurement with the FOLIN phenol reagent

Article

Jan 1951

Estimation of total, protein bound and non-protein sulfhydryl groups in tissue with Ellmans reagent

Article

Jan 1968
ANAL BIOCHEM

Rat Epididymal Sperm Quantity, Quality, and Transit Time after Guanethidine-Induced Sympathectomy

Article

Oct 1998

Wilma De Grava Kempinas

Guanethidine, a chemical that selectively abolishes peripheral noradrenergic nerves, was used to investigate the role of sympathetic innervation in the maintenance of epididymal sperm quantity and quality. Four groups of 10 adult male rats each were treated daily for 21 days, by i.p. injections, with either 0 (saline vehicle), 6.25, 12.5, or 25 mg/kg guanethidine. Norepinephrine content was reduced to undetectable levels in the cauda epididymidis in all guanethidine groups after 3 wk of treatment and was reduced to 7.4% of the control values after 1 wk of 6.25 mg/kg treatment. While body weight gain was significantly decreased at 12.5 and 25 mg/kg compared to that in controls, there was a significant increase in the weights of the seminal vesicles/coagulating glands in all treated groups. The number of homogenization-resistant spermatids per testis and the daily sperm production per testis remained unchanged. The weight of the epididymis was significantly increased at 6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg. Moreover, the number of cauda epididymal sperm and the transit time were increased significantly at 6.25 mg/kg (10.2 days) compared to values in the control cauda (6.3 days). Neither serum testosterone levels nor LH was affected in a dosage-related manner. There were no effects of guanethidine treatment on cauda epididymal sperm motility or morphology. A quantitative analysis of detergent-extracted cauda epididymal sperm proteins by SDS-PAGE revealed no differences, but there were diminutions in seven proteins in homogenates of caput/corpus tissue. Histologic analysis of testis and epididymis sections revealed no differences between control and denervated animals. In a subsequent experiment the lowest effective dosage (6.25 mg/kg) was given to rats for 1 wk, and an increased number of cauda epididymal sperm and a delay in sperm transit were observed. Our results indicate that low-dosage guanethidine exposure denervates the epididymis within 1 wk, thereby delaying epididymal transit; however, neither 1- nor 3-wk exposure produces qualitative changes in the sperm.

Effect of Zingiber officinale Roots and Cinnamon zeylanicum Bark on Fertility of Male Diabetic Rats

Article

Jan 2010

The effects of Zingiber officinale (ZO) roots and Cinnamon zeylanicum (CZ) bark extracts on fertility of male diabetic rats and blood glucose, insulin and testosterone levels were studied. The experiment was carried out on sixty male rats allocated into 6 equal groups of 10 animals each. One group was kept as a normal control, while rats of the other groups were given alloxan (120 mg.kgG / day for 3 days) by intraperitoneal 1 injection for induction of diabetes. Group (2) was left as a diabetic control, while rats of groups (3) and (4) were given ZO extract at 250 and 500 mg.kgG b.wt., respectively, for 65 consecutive days to cover the period of 1 spermatogenesis in the rat. Rats of groups (5) and (6) were given orally CZ extract at the same doses and for the same period. Results showed that oral administration of ZO and CZ extracts to diabetic rats for 65 days increased the weight of testes and seminal vesicles; improved semen quantity and quality; decreased blood glucose level, but increased serum insulin and testosterone levels. The large dose of both extracts ameliorated the degenerative lesions which seen in the testes of diabetic rats, This study recommend that intake of ZO roots and CZ bark as a drink may be beneficial for diabetic patients who suffer from sexual impotency as it improve fertility and lower the high blood glucose level in male diabetic rats.

Effect of Extracts of Ginger Goots and Cinnamon Bark on Fertility of Male Diabetic Rats

Article

Nov 2009

Dalia A. Hafez

This study was performed to investigate the effects of ginger roots and cinnamon bark extracts on fertility of male diabetic rats and levels of blood glucose as well as serum insulin and testosterone hormones. The experiment was carried out on sixty mature male Sprague Dawley rats distributed into 6 groups of 10 rats each. One group was kept as normal control, while rats of the other five groups were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan in a dose of 120 mg/kg b.wt., as a single daily dose for 3 days. Group (2) was left as diabetic control, while rats of groups (3) and (4) were given orally ginger extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt., respectively, daily for 65 days to cover the period of spermatogenesis in the rat. Rats of groups (5) and (6) were given orally cinnamon extract at the same doses of ginger and for the same period. The results showed that oral administration ginger extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg and cinnamon extract at 500 mg/kg to diabetic male rats for 65 days increased the weight of testes and seminal vesicles; improved semen quality and quantity; decreased blood glucose level and increased serum insulin and testosterone levels. The extracts also ameliorated the degenerative lesions which seen in the testes of diabetic rats. This study recommends that intake of ginger roots or cinnamon bark as a drink may be beneficial for diabetic patients who suffer from sexual impotency as their extracts induce antidiabetic activity and enhance male fertility in diabetic rats. [Journal of American Science 2010;6(10):940-947]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).

Reproduction and Breeding Techniques for Laboratory Animals

Article

Nov 1971
AUST VET J

R. G. Wales

The effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on sperm quality, lipid peroxidation and testosterone levels of male wistar rats

Conference Paper

Jan 2007

Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent

Article

Nov 1950

Biological properties of essential oils: An updated review

Article

Nov 2010
FLAVOUR FRAG J

In the last few years more and more studies on the biological properties of essential oils have been published and it seemed worthwhile to compile the studies of 2009, 2008 and the second part of 2007. Such an overview covering the scientific literature mainly from 2000 onwards, up to the first half of the year 2007, has been published recently. The focus of this overview lies on the anti-nociceptive, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, penetration-enhancing, insect repellent, antiviral and antioxidative properties of essential oils. Many essential oils have been used for centuries in folk medicine and in recent years the biological properties of various essential oils have been proved by a number of studies. Their use in the treatment of pain, inflammation, viral diseases and cancer and their potential to enhance the penetration of other drugs, their insect repellent activity and their antioxidative effects were confirmed. Nonetheless, more studies are necessary to analyse the biological properties of other essential oils or to prove their mechanism of action. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Impact of essential oils on growth rate, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol production by Fusarium graminearum under different temperature and water activity conditions in maize grain

Article

Apr 2004
J APPL MICROBIOL

Aims: The effect of five essential oils (oregano, cinnamon, lemongrass, clove and palmarose) on growth rate, zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) production by Fusarium graminearum strains was assessed. Methods and Results: The influence of the essential oils was tested on irradiated maize at two concentrations (500 and 1000 mg kg−1), at different water activity (aw) (0·95 and 0·995) and temperature (20 and 30°C) levels. At 0·995 aw all essential oils tested had an inhibitory effect on growth rate of F. graminearum at both temperatures studied. At this aw level, DON production in general was inhibited by all essential oils at 30°C and, although palmarose and clove were the only essential oils with statistically significant inhibitory effect on ZEA production, an inhibitory trend was observed when cinnamon and oregano oils were added to maize grain. Conclusions: Antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activity of the essential oils assayed was shown to depend on environmental conditions. Significance and Impact of the Study: It is apparent that essential oils should be considered as alternative preharvest natural fungicides. Further investigation on natural maize grain might be useful to study the effectiveness of these essential oils in the presence of natural mycoflora of maize grain.

Reprint of “Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in Selenium-Deficient Rat Liver”

Article

Sep 1976

Glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver supernatant from rats fed a Se-deficient diet for 2 weeks was 8% of control when measured with H2O2 but 42% of control when assayed with cumene hydroperoxide. Two peaks of glutathione peroxidase activity were present in the Sephadex G-150 gel filtration chromatogram of rat liver supernatant when 1.5 mM cumene hydroperoxide was used as substrate. Only the first peak was detected when 0.25 mM H2O2 was used as substrate. The first peak was absent from chromatograms of Se-deficient rat liver supernatants; but the second peak, which eluted at a position corresponding to M.W. = 39,000, appeared unchanged. The second peak thus represents a second glutathione peroxidase activity which catalyzes the destruction of organic hydroperoxides but has little activity toward H2O2 and which persists in severe selenium deficiency.

Chemistry, Biogenesis, and Biological Activities of Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Article

Jul 2011
CRIT REV FOOD SCI

The genus Cinnamomum comprises of several hundreds of species, which are distributed in Asia and Australia. Cinnamomum zeylanicum, the source of cinnamon bark and leaf oils, is an indigenous tree of Sri Lanka, although most oil now comes from cultivated areas. C. zeylanicum is an important spice and aromatic crop having wide applications in flavoring, perfumery, beverages, and medicines. Volatile oils from different parts of cinnamon such as leaves, bark, fruits, root bark, flowers, and buds have been isolated by hydro distillation/steam distillation and supercritical fluid extraction. The chemical compositions of the volatile oils have been identified by GC and GC-MS. More than 80 compounds were identified from different parts of cinnamon. The leaf oil has a major component called eugenol. Cinnamaldehyde and camphor have been reported to be the major components of volatile oils from stem bark and root bark, respectively. Trans-cinnamyl acetate was found to be the major compound in fruits, flowers, and fruit stalks. These volatile oils were found to exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities. C. zeylanicum bark and fruits were found to contain proanthocyandins with doubly linked bis-flavan-3-ol units in the molecule. The present review provides a coherent presentation of scattered literature on the chemistry, biogenesis, and biological activities of cinnamon.

Cinnamon extract ameliorates ionizing radiation-induced cellular injury in rats

Article

Jul 2011
ECOTOX ENVIRON SAFE

The present study aimed to investigate the protective role of cinnamon extract against inflammatory and oxidative injuries in gamma irradiated rats. Rats were subjected to fractionated doses of gamma radiation. Cinnamon extract were daily administrated before starting irradiation and continued after radiation exposure. The results obtained revealed that the administration of cinnamon extract to irradiated rats significantly ameliorated the changes induced in liver antioxidant system; catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as reduced glutathione concentration. The liver's lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation indices were significantly decreased when compared with their equivalent values in irradiated rats. Furthermore, the changes induces in xanthine oxidoreductase system were significantly diminished. In addition, the changes in liver nitric oxide contents, serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and C-reactive protein levels were markedly improved. In conclusion, the administration of cinnamon extract might provide substantial protection against radiation-induced oxidative and inflammatory damages.

Lycopene and ellagic acid prevent testicular apoptosis induced by cisplatin

Article

Mar 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene (LC) and ellagic acid (EA) on cisplatin (CP)-induced testicular apoptosis in male rats. The control group was treated with placebo; LC, EA and CP groups were given alone LC, EA and CP, respectively; the CP+LC group was treated with a combination of CP and LC; and the CP+EA group was treated with a combination of CP and EA. Although CP significantly increased the number of Bax-positive (apoptotic) cells it had no effect on the number of Bcl-2-positive (antiapoptotic) cells compared with the control group. Administration of CP caused significant increase in lipid peroxidation and nonsignificant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity along with some histopathological lesions in testicular tissue. However, combined treatments of LC or EA in addition to CP tended to prevent the CP-induced testicular apoptosis, histopathological lesions and lipid peroxidation.

Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic action of Cinnamomi Cassiae (Cinnamon Bark) extract in C57BL/Ks db/db mice

Article

Feb 2010

In previous study, the anti-diabetic effect of Cinnamomi Cassiae extract (Cinnamon bark: Lauraceae) in a type II diabetic animal model (C57BIKsj db/db) has been reported. To explore their mechanism of action, in present study, the effect of cinnamon extract on anti-hyperglycemia and anti-hyperlipidemia was evaluated by measuring the blood glucose levels, serum insulin, and adiponectin levels, serum and hepatic lipids, PPARalpha mRNA expression in liver and PPARgamma mRNA expression in adipose tissue, respectively. Male C57BIKs db/db mice were divided into a diabetic group and cinnamon extract treated group and examined for a period of 12 weeks (200 mg/kg, p.o). The fasting blood glucose and postprandial 2 h blood glucose levels in the cinnamon treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.01), whereas the serum insulin and adiponectin levels were significantly higher in the cinnamon treated group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The serum lipids and hepatic lipids were improved in the cinnamon administered group. Also the PPARalpha mRNA (liver) and PPARgamma mRNA (adipose tissue) expression levels were increased significantly in the cinnamon treated group (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that cinnamon extract significantly increases insulin sensitivity, reduces serum, and hepatic lipids, and improves hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia possibly by regulating the PPAR-medicated glucose and lipid metabolism.

Pathways involved in testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by H2O2in vitro

Article

Feb 2009
FEBS J

H(2)O(2) induces apoptosis in variety of cells; however, the sensitivities of testicular germ cells to H(2)O(2) are not known. In the present study, H(2)O(2), at concentrations in the range 1-10 microM, was found to induce apoptosis in testicular germ cells in vitro. Following 1 h of treatment with 10 microM H(2)O(2), a 10-fold rise in the percentage of apoptotic cells was observed. Induction of germ cell apoptosis was directly associated with a significant (P < 0.01) increase in lipid peroxidation and a concomitant decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. Examination of apoptotic signalling pathways revealed an increased expression of extrinsic (Fas, FasL and caspase-8) and intrinsic (Bid, Bak, Bad, Bax and caspase-9) markers, as well as p53, along with a simultaneous decrease in the Bcl-2 protein at the highest concentration of H(2)O(2) exposure. Both, c-jun N-terminal kinase and p38 phosphorylated forms were found to be up-regulated. Interestingly, up-regulation of the nuclear transcription factor kappa B was also observed. The respective transcripts for many of the above proteins followed an identical trend. Caspase-3 activity was also estimated to be 30-fold higher. Taken together, the above data indicate that testicular germ cells are prone to apoptosis at very low concentrations of H(2)O(2), the mechanism of which involves extrinsic and intrinsic as well other regulatory pathways.

Brain Region-Specific Effects of Short-Term Treatment with Duloxetine, Venlafaxine, Milnacipran and Sertraline on Monoamine Metabolism in Rats

Article

Sep 2008
NEUROCHEM RES

We examined brain region-specific changes in monoamines and metabolites, and their ratios, after short-term administration of antidepressants to rats. Serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; duloxetine, venlafaxine, milnacipran) and a serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI; sertraline) elevated serotonin (5-HT) levels in the midbrain (MB). Duloxetine and venlafaxine increased 5-HT levels in the brainstem and 5-HT terminal areas, whereas milnacipran and sertraline increased levels in the brainstem only. Significant reductions in 5-HT turnover were observed in various forebrain regions, including the hippocampus and hypothalamus, after treatment with all of the tested drugs except for milnacipran. In addition, there was reduced 5-HT turnover in the dorsolateral frontal cortex (dlFC), the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and both the dlFC and the mPFC after treatment with duloxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine, respectively. Venlafaxine significantly increased dopamine (DA) levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the substantia nigra and decreased DA turnover in the NAc. Similar changes were observed after treatment with duloxetine and sertraline in the NAc, whereas milnacipran increased DA levels in the mPFC. Limited increases in noradrenaline levels were detected after treatment with duloxetine, venlafaxine, or sertraline, but not after treatment with milnacipran. These results show that SNRIs and SSRIs induced region-specific monoaminergic changes after short-term treatment.

Effect of certain volatile oils on ejaculated human spermatozoa

Article

May 1988
INDIAN J MED RES

The effect of 7 volatile oils -- oils of clove, peppermint, ajowan, dill, basil, cinnamon, and eugenol -- and 4 fixed oils -- groundnut, coconut, vegetable, and pure clarified butter -- on human spermatozoa in vitro were studied. Fresh ejaculates were obtained from male partners of infertile couples. Semen samples from 6 different donors were used for each dilution. Percent change in motility over control was calculated. All the volatile oils studied revealed a potent spermicidal action. This was confirmed by a supra-vital staining. The oils differed in the potency of their action. In decreasing order of immediate spermicidal activity, the oils could be graded as follows:oil of cinnamon, eugenol, clove oil, oil of basil, oil of ajowan, oil of peppermint, and dill. Higher dilutions of volatile oils also were spermicidal when they were incubated with semen samples for a longer period. The fixed oils were devoid of action on spermatozoa.

Estimation of Total Protein Bound and Non-Protein Sulphhydryl Group in Tissue with Ellman Reagent

Article

Nov 1968

Testicular biopsy score count – A method for registration of spermatogenesis in human testes

Article

Feb 1970

Svend G. Johnsen

The paper describes a new and rapid method forregistration of spermatogenesis in human testes: the testicular biopsy score count. Each tubular section is given a score from 10 to 1 according to presence or absence of the main cell types arranged in the order of maturity. Presence of spermatozoa scores 10, 9 or 8; spermatids (and no further) 7 or 6; spermatocytes (and no further) 5 or 4; only spermatogonia 3, only Sertoli cells 2 and no cells 1. The theoretical background of the score count method is discussed and it is emphasized that tissue heterogeneity, being a main point in most conditions, is exposed and evaluated by the method. Normal values are given and results obtained in 335 cases including a great variety of forms of male hypogonadism are presented. Patognomonic score counts leading to immediate diagnosis at a glance are obtained in many instances. A high correlation between testicular biopsy score count and sperm count is found and it is concluded that by this method it has for the first time become possible in man to correlate endocrine conditions with the functional state of the testicular tissue.Copyright © 970_ S. Karger AG, Basel

Estimation of Product Lipid Peroxidation (Malonyl Dialdehyde) in Biochemical systems

Article

Sep 1966

A new thiobarbituric acid method for the estimation of the malonyl dialdehyde produced as a result of lipid peroxidation is described in which the trimethine colored substance is estimated in alkaline solution.Alkaline pyridine-butanol mixture dissolves both proteins and lipids that are precipitated or opalescent during the reaction, yielding a more accurate MDA estimation as well as simplifying the procedure.

Oxidative stress and role of antioxidant in normal and abnormal sperm function

Article

Feb 1996
FRONT BIOSCI

Suresh C Sikka

Defective sperm function is the most common cause of infertility, and until recently, it was difficult to evaluate and treat. Part of this difficulty was due to our incomplete understanding of the factors contributing to normal and abnormal sperm function leading to male infertility. Mammalian spermatozoa membranes are rich in high unsaturated fatty acids and are sensitive to oxygen induced damage mediated by lipid peroxidation. Limited endogenous mechanisms exist to reverse these damages. The excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by abnormal spermatozoa and by contaminating leukocytes (leukocytospermia) has been identified as one of the few defined etiologies for male infertility. In a normal situation, the seminal plasma contains antioxidant mechanisms which are likely to quench these ROS and protect against any likely damage to spermatozoa. However, during genitourinary infection/inflammation these antioxidant mechanisms may downplay and create a situation called oxidative stress. In addition, aging and environmental toxicants are also likely to further induce this oxidative stress. Assessment of such oxidative stress status (OSS) may help in the medical treatment of this male factor infertility by suitable antioxidants.

Rat epididymal sperm quantity, quality, and transit time after guanethidine-induced sympathectomy

Article

Nov 1998

A Survey of some Indian medicinal plants for anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Activity

Article

Oct 2000
INDIAN J MED RES

India has an extensive area of forest enriched with plant diversity. Several of these plants have been used as folklore medicines. However, the medicinal plants have rarely been investigated for anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity. Hence, some Indian medicinal plants were screened in vitro against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The inhibitory effect of plant extracts on HIV replication was monitored in terms of inhibition of virus induced cytopathogenicity in MT-4 cells. The MT-4 cells were infected with HIV. The HIV infected or mock infected MT-4 cells were incubated at 37 degrees C in a CO2 incubator in the presence of the plant extracts. After five days, cell viability was measured by tetrazolium based colorimetric assay. Of the 69 plant species screened, 16 were effective against HIV-1 and 4 were against both HIV-1 and HIV-2. The most effective extracts against HIV-1 and HIV-2 are respectively Cinnamomum cassia (bark) and Cardiospermum helicacabum (shoot + fruit). The findings provide a rationale for further studies on isolation of active principles and pharmacological evaluation.

Comparison studies on chemical constituents of essential oil from Ramulus Cinnamomi and Cortex Cinnamomi by GC-MS

Article

May 2002

Essential oil from Ramulus Cinnamomi (Cinnamomum cassia Presl) and Cortex Cinnamomi were obtained by steam distillation. The chemical components of the oil were examined and compared by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 54 of the separated constitutents were identified. 10 components of these were not observed in the oil from Ramulus Cinnamomi, and 16 components of these were not observed in the oil from Cortex Cinnamomi.

Cinnamaldehyde induces apoptosis by ROS-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

Article

Aug 2003
CANCER LETT

Cinnamaldehyde is an active compound isolated from the stem bark of Cinnamomum cassia, a traditional oriental medicinal herb, which has been shown to inhibit tumor cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated the effects of cinnamaldehyde on the cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis and the putative pathways of its actions in human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Using apoptosis analysis, measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and assessment of mitochondrial membrane potentials (DeltaPsim), we show that cinnamaldehyde is a potent inducer of apoptosis and that it transduces the apoptotic signal via ROS generation, thereby inducing mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and cytochrome c release to the cytosol. ROS production, mitochondrial alteration, and subsequent apoptotic cell death in cinnamaldehyde-treated cells were blocked by the antioxidant N-acetylcystein. Taken together, our data indicate that cinnamaldehyde induces the ROS-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition and resultant cytochrome c release. This is the first report on the mechanism of the anticancer effect of cinnamaldehyde.

Protein Measurement With Folin Fenol Reagent

Article

Dec 1951

Since 1922 when Wu proposed the use of the Folin phenol reagent for the measurement of proteins (l), a number of modified analytical pro- cedures ut.ilizing this reagent have been reported for the determination of proteins in serum (2-G), in antigen-antibody precipitates (7-9), and in insulin (10). Although the reagent would seem to be recommended by its great sen- sitivity and the simplicity of procedure possible with its use, it has not found great favor for general biochemical purposes. In the belief that this reagent, nevertheless, has considerable merit for certain application, but that its peculiarities and limitations need to be understood for its fullest exploitation, it has been studied with regard t.o effects of variations in pH, time of reaction, and concentration of react- ants, permissible levels of reagents commonly used in handling proteins, and interfering subst.ances. Procedures are described for measuring pro- tein in solution or after precipitation wit,h acids or other agents, and for the determination of as little as 0.2 y of protein.

Water-soluble polymeric polyphenols from cinnamon inhibit proliferation and alter cell cycle distribution patterns of hematologic tumor cell lines

Article

Jan 2006
CANCER LETT

To explore possible anti-cancer properties of water-soluble, polymeric polyphenols from cinnamon, three myeloid cell lines (Jurkat, Wurzburg, and U937) were exposed to increasing concentrations of an aqueous extract prepared from cinnamon (CE) for 24 h. Cell growth and cell cycle distribution patterns responded in a dose-dependent manner to CE. That is, an increase in the percentage of cells distributed in G2/M was observed in all three cell lines as the amount of CE increased. At the highest dose of CE, the percentage of Wurzburg cells in G2/M was 1.5- and 2.0-fold higher than those observed for Jurkat and U937 cells, respectively. Wurzburg cells lack the CD45 phosphatase and may be more sensitive to imbalances in signaling through kinase/phosphatase networks that promote growth. The results suggest the potential of CE to interact with phosphorylation/dephosphorylation signaling activities to reduce cellular proliferation in tandem with a block at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle.

The impact of oxidants on sperm function

Article

Jan 2006

Ralf Henkel

Phenolic Constituents in the Fruits of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Their Antioxidant Activity

Article

Apr 2006

Defatted cinnamon fruit powder was successively extracted with benzene ethyl acetate, acetone, MeOH, and water. The concentrated water extract contained the maximum amount of phenolics and showed the highest antioxidant activities. Hence, it was fractionated by Diaion HP-20SS, Diaion HP-20, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. It gave five purified compounds, the purities of which were analyzed by HPLC. Compounds 1-5 were identified as 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (protocatechuic acid), epicatechin-(2beta-->O-7,4beta-->8)-epicatechin-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin (cinnamtannin B-1), 4-[2,3-dihydro-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-(methoxy)benzofuranyl]-2-methoxyphenyl beta-d-glucopyranoside (urolignoside), quercetin-3-O-(6-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (rutin), and quercetin-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside by using extensive spectral studies. The antioxidant activities of purified compounds were screened for their antioxidative potential using beta-carotene-linoleate and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl model systems. All of the compounds showed antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. This is the first report of the isolation and identification of nonvolatile constituents and as well as antioxidant activities from cinnamon fruits.

Effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil on testicular antioxidant values, apoptotic germ cell and sperm quality

Abstract

No full-text available

Recommended publications

Spontaneous recovery from ethanol-induced male infertility

Knockout of the transcription factor NRF2 disrupts spermatogenesis in an age-dependent manner