Ginger is traditionally used as a sexual enhancer in folk medicine. Despite extensive studies on the effect of ginger on reproduction, the molecular mechanism of ginger prevention effect on ethanol-induced reproductive disorder is not fully understood. Twenty-four adult male ratswereallocated into control, ethanol (4 g/kg of body weight (BW)/day), ginger (250 mg/kg of BW/day) and ginger-ethanol group. Ginger and ethanol were administrated by gavage for 28 days. Testicular concentration of testosterone, TNF-α, and antioxidant enzymes activity and serum concentration of gonadotropins hormone and testosterone were measured. The gene expression of Nrf2 and NF-κB which regulate oxidative damage and inflammation, respectively, and StAR, P450scc and 17βHSD which are involved in testosterone synthesis were detected. Ethanol significantly decreased gonadotropin hormones, oxidative markers, expression of genes involved in testosterone synthesis and Nrf2, and in reverse significantly increased TNF-α, MDA and gene expression of NF-κB compared to control (p<0.05). While ginger could significantly improve all of the above factors HIGHLIGHTS  Ethanol induces reproductive dysfunction. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) improves steroidogenesis. Ginger inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation. Ginger improves ethanol-induced reproductive dysfunction. Li, N.; et al.

Green nanotechnology is an emerging field of science that focuses on the production of nanoparticles by living cells through biological pathways. This topic plays an extremely imperative responsibility in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, fuel and energy, electronics, and bioengineering. Biological processes by green synthesis tools are more suitable to develop nanoparticles ranging from 1 to 100 nm compared to other related methods, owing to their safety, ecofriendliness, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. In particular, the metal nanoparticles are synthesized by top-down and bottom-up approaches through various techniques like physical, chemical, and biological methods. Their characterization is very vital and the confirmation of nanoparticle traits is done by various instrumentation analyses such as UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), annular dark-field imaging (HAADF), and intracranial pressure (ICP). In this review, we provide especially information on green synthesized metal nanoparticles, which are helpful to improve biomedical and environmental applications. In particular, the methods and conditions of plant-based synthesis, characterization techniques, and applications of green silver, gold, iron, selenium, and copper nanoparticles are overviewed.

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Heavy metals such as mercury are some of the environmental pollutants and can induce toxicity by bioaccumulation and oxidative damage. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Medicago sativa L. (Alfalfa) on mercury damage in the kidney and liver of rats. Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, the control group, S group (2 mg/kg mercury chloride), and T1, T2, and T3 groups that, in addition to mercury, received doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg of the alfalfa extract. On the last day, blood samples were taken, and the serum was separated to measure biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in the kidney and liver. A part of the kidney and liver was also used for histopathological evaluation. Total phenols and flavonoids were 40.45 ± 2.12 and 14.36 ± 0.45 mg/g, respectively, whereas IC50 was 245.18 ± 19.76 μg/ml. The body weight significantly decreased in the S group compared to other groups, while treatment with different doses of alfalfa extract increased the body weight. Mercury concentration in the kidney was higher than that in the liver. The serum levels of urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) significantly increased in the S group compared to the control group, while treatment with different doses of alfalfa extract increased their levels. Moreover, an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed in the S group. The level of these parameters significantly improved in the groups receiving the extract compared to the S group. Furthermore, the histopathological evaluation showed glomerular and tubular damage and hepatic necrosis in the S group and that these conditions improved in the T3 group. The findings of this study showed that the ethanolic extract of alfalfa in a dose-dependent manner has potentially unique protective effects against mercury poisoning in the kidney and liver.

Medicago sativa Linn or alfalfa is a tonic plant rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals that is used to treat many diseases due to its pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of alfalfa methanolic extract (AME) on the prevention of liver damage caused by nicotine. The total phenols, flavonoids levels, and the free radical scavenging activity of its extract (IC50) were measured. In this study, 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups as control (untreated), N (nicotine only), T1, T2, and T3 (nicotine + AME 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively). AME (orally) and nicotine (intraperitoneal injection, 0.5 mg/kg/day) were then administered for 21 days. Weight gain, the liver-to-body weight ratio, liver functional enzymes, and the lipid profile were measured. Moreover, we evaluated oxidative stress, proinflammatory parameters, and histopathological changes in the liver. Total phenols, flavonoids, and IC50 were determined as 51.68 ± 0.62  mg GAE/g, 18.55 ± 1.01  mg QE/g, and 350.91 ± 16.46  μg/ml, respectively. Nicotine changed the measured parameters to abnormal. AME increased weight gain, the liver-to-body weight ratio, and enzymatic antioxidant levels and decreased malondialdehyde, liver functional enzymes, and proinflammatory cytokine levels. The lipid profile and histopathological changes have also been improved by AME in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that AME in a dose-dependent manner by improving the inflammation and oxidative damage could improve the liver damage caused by nicotine.