Chen Lisong, R Parameswari, P Madhan Kumar, R Babujanarthanam, Hirad Abdurahman Hajinur, Zhou Yinfang
Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ankang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ankang, 725000, China.
Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Serkkadu, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632115, India.
Biol Trace Elem Res. 2025 Jul 15. doi: 10.1007/s12011-025-04737-4.
Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous occupational pollutant that has been extensively studied for its detrimental effects on male reproductive function, primarily through the induction of oxidative stress, which compromises both sperm quality and sperm DNA integrity. This study aimed to evaluate the protective efficacy of Bryonia laciniosa Linn., a phytochemically rich medicinal plant, against cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-four healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): a control group, a B. laciniosa extract-treated group, a Cd-treated group, and a combination group that received both Cd and B. laciniosa extract. Rats exposed to Cd exhibited significantly reduced relative testicular weights, accompanied by impaired sperm parameters and altered spermatogonial morphology. Furthermore, Cd exposure led to significantly decreased serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone compared to the other groups. Oxidative stress biomarkers revealed that Cd exposure significantly lowered the concentrations of enzymatic antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while increasing levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue. Histopathological examination of testicular cross-sections revealed considerable degeneration of spermatogenic cells, characterized by necrotic atrophy and increased eosinophilic fluid discharge in the seminiferous tubules, ultimately impairing reproductive function. Morphometric analysis was conducted using light microscopy. In contrast, treatment with B. laciniosa extract significantly reduced oxidative stress and restored enzyme levels. This restoration facilitated the regeneration of primary spermatids and spermatogonial cells in the combination treatment group, which was attributed to the extract's antioxidant-rich properties, offering protection against free radical-mediated damage and mitigating Cd-induced sperm DNA damage. The observed protective effects were primarily attributed to the synergistic antioxidant activity of B. laciniosa extract.
镉（Cd）是一种普遍存在的职业污染物，因其对男性生殖功能的有害影响而受到广泛研究，主要是通过诱导氧化应激，这会损害精子质量和精子DNA完整性。本研究旨在评估富含植物化学成分的药用植物裂叶栝楼对Wistar大鼠镉诱导的生殖毒性的保护效果。将24只健康成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为四组（每组n = 6）：对照组、裂叶栝楼提取物处理组、镉处理组和同时接受镉和裂叶栝楼提取物的联合组。暴露于镉的大鼠睾丸相对重量显著降低，同时精子参数受损，精原细胞形态改变。此外，与其他组相比，镉暴露导致血清促卵泡激素（FSH）、促黄体生成素（LH）和睾酮水平显著降低。氧化应激生物标志物显示，镉暴露显著降低了超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）等酶促抗氧化剂的浓度，同时增加了睾丸组织中丙二醛（MDA）的水平。睾丸横断面的组织病理学检查显示生精细胞有相当程度的退化，其特征为曲细精管内坏死性萎缩和嗜酸性液体排出增加，最终损害生殖功能。使用光学显微镜进行形态计量分析。相比之下，裂叶栝楼提取物处理显著降低了氧化应激并恢复了酶水平。这种恢复促进了联合治疗组中初级精母细胞和精原细胞的再生，这归因于提取物富含抗氧化剂的特性，可提供针对自由基介导损伤的保护并减轻镉诱导的精子DNA损伤。观察到的保护作用主要归因于裂叶栝楼提取物的协同抗氧化活性。
