Anat Cell Biol.  2021 Jun;54(2):232-240. 10.5115/acb.20.161.

The amelioration of nicotine-induced reproductive impairment in male mouse by Sambucus ebulus L. fruit extract

• Mohammadghasemi F
• Khanaki K
• Moravati H
• Faghani M

• KMID: 2516907
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.20.161

Abstract

Nicotine as a toxic agent in cigarette smoke impairs the reproductive system. Sambucus ebulus extract (SEE) is shown to have some beneficial effects such as antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SEE on the hormones of the pituitary-gonadal axis, lipid peroxidation index, antioxidant enzymes, spermatogenesis, and epididymal sperm parameters in male mice treated with nicotine. Adult male mice were divided into five groups; A: normal saline, B: 1 mg/kg nicotine, C: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 10 mg/kg SEE, D: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 50 mg/kg SEE, D: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 100 mg/kg SEE. Treatments lasted for 35 days. The spermicidal activity of SEE was tested in vitro. Sperm count, motility and morphology were assessed for fertility. Serum testosterone, prolactin and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured, using ELISA. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured, using colorimetric assays. Spermatogenesis was evaluated by Johnsen’s score and morphometry in histological slides. SEE at different doses did not have any spermicidal activity. Sperm parameters were reduced in the nicotine-treated group, compared with controls (P<0.01). Nicotine reduced testosterone and LH levels (P<0.01) and increased prolactin (P<0.01). A hike in MDA and a reduction in SOD activity without change on CAT, were observed in the nicotine group. Nicotine caused hypospermatogenesis. SEE improved most of the above-mentioned parameters, especially in the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Beneficial effects of SEE in the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg on male reproduction impairment, induced by nicotine might be partly attributed to the reduction of oxidative stress and changes in the hormones of the pituitary-gonadal axis.

Keyword

Nicotine; Sambucus ebulus; Reproduction; Spermatogenesis; Oxidative stress

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The sperm viability and motility percentage following treatment with 0, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg of Sambucus ebulus at different time points.

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  Fig. 2 Hormone profile in different groups treated with nicotine and SEE. aSignificant data in comparison with control P<0.01. bSignificant data compared with nicotine P<0.05. Values are expressed as mean. SEE, Sambucus ebulus extract.

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  Fig. 3 Serum oxidative stress marker and antioxidant enzymes in different groups treated with nicotine and SEE. aSignificant data in comparison with control P<0.01. bSignificant data in comparison with nicotine P<0.01. Values are expressed as mean. CAT, catalase; MDA, malondialdehyde; SEE, Sambucus ebulus extract; SOD, superoxide dismutase.

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  Fig. 4 Testicular photomicrograph. (A) Control group, (B) nicotine, (C) nicotine+SEE 10 mg/kg, (D) nicotine+SEE 50 mg/kg and (E) nicotine+100 mg/kg of SEE. Black arrows show degenerative and sloughed-off cells in the L of seminiferous tubules. Blue arrows show vacuoles inside seminiferous tubules. Asterisk (*) shows Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue. (B) The reduction of epithelial height, presence of high vacuoles in the Ge and degenerative cells in the L, and a low score are observed. (D and E) Better organized seminiferous tubules and higher scores are seen (H&E, ×200). Ge, germinal epithelium; L, lumen; SEE, Sambucus ebulus extract.

Reference

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