Curative effects of tectochrysin on paraquat-instigated testicular toxicity in rats: A biochemical and histopathological based study

Muhammad Umar Ijaz; Kaynat Alvi; Ali Hamza; Haseeb Anwar; Khalid A Al-Ghanim; Mian Nadeem Riaz

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25337

Curative effects of tectochrysin on paraquat-instigated testicular toxicity in rats: A biochemical and histopathological based study

Heliyon. 2024 Feb 1;10(3):e25337. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25337. eCollection 2024 Feb 15.

Authors

Muhammad Umar Ijaz¹, Kaynat Alvi¹, Ali Hamza¹, Haseeb Anwar², Khalid A Al-Ghanim³, Mian Nadeem Riaz⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan.
² Department of Physiology, Government College University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
³ Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, 2476, USA.

Abstract

Background: Paraquat (PQ) is a herbicide that is used globally in the agriculture sector to eradicate unwanted weeds, however it also induces significant damages in various organs of the body such as testes. Tectochrysin (TEC) is an important flavonoid that shows versatile therapeutic potentials. Currently, there is no established antidote to cure PQ-induced testicular toxicity.

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effects of TEC against PQ prompted testicular damage.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 48) were used to conduct the trial. Rats were allocated in to 4 groups i.e., Control, PQ administrated group (5 mgkg^-1), PQ + TEC co-administrated group (5 mgkg^-1 + 2.5 mgkg^-1) and TEC only administrated group (2.5 mgkg^-1). The trial was conducted for 8 weeks. The activity of anti-oxidants and the levels of MDA and ROS were determined by spectrophotometric method. Steroidogenic enzymes as well as apoptotic markers expressions were evaluated by qRT-PCR. The level of hormones and inflammatory indices was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: PQ exposure markedly (P < 0.05) disturbed the biochemical, spermatogenic and histological profile in the rats. Nevertheless, TEC treatment considerably (P < 0.05) increased CAT, GPx GSR and SOD activity, besides decreasing MDA and ROS contents. TEC administration also increased sperm viability, count and motility. 17β-HSD, 3β-HSD, StAR and Bcl-2 expressions were also increased following TEC administration. The supplementation of TEC substantially (P < 0.05) decreased Bax, Caspase-3 expression and the levels of inflammatory markers i.e., interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity. Additionally, the levels of plasma testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were increased following TEC supplementation. Furthermore, TEC supplementation considerably decreased sperm structural abnormalities and histomorphological damages of the testes. The mitigative role of TEC might be due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, androgenic and anti-oxidant potentials.

Conclusion: Taken together, it is concluded that TEC can be used as a potential candidate to treat testicular toxicity.

Keywords: Inflammatory markers; Paraquat; Steroidogenic enzymes; Tectochrysin; Testicular tissues.