Ameliorative effect of edibleHalopteris scopariaagainst cadmium‐induced reproductive toxicity in male mice: A biochemical and histopathologic study

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal affecting the reproductive system. Halopteris scoparia (brown algae) is generally consumed as a salad in the Far East countries. This study was conducted to compare and determine the possible protective effects of H. scoparia and vitamin E and C combination (VEC) against cadmium chloride (CdCl2)‐induced reproductive toxicity. A total of 36 male mice were equally divided into as control, CdCl2 (2 mg/kg), CdCl2 + H. scoparia (900 mg/kg), CdCl2 + VEC (200 mg/kg), H. scoparia alone and VEC alone groups. Blood and testis samples were taken for biochemical, histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. H. scoparia was also examined for antioxidant activity (by DPPH assay) and mineral/trace element content (by ICP‐MS method). CdCl2 exposure caused a significant deterioration in body weight, sperm parameters (count, motility, viability and morphology) (p < .001), histopathology, immunoreactivity and testosterone levels. However, H. scoparia improved CdCl2‐induced deterioration effects more successfully than VEC‐treated group. The present study suggests that edible H. scoparia can be used as a natural protective agent against Cd‐induced testicular damage by possibly enhancing essential element levels or increasing antioxidant defence system.

The role of well-known antioxidant vitamins in the prevention of cadmium-induced toxicity

“…Two studies investigated the protective effect of vitamins E and C administered simultaneously on the reproductive system (Table 3). These vitamins contributed to reduction of adverse effects of Cd on body weight of animals exposed to Cd, improvement of semen parameters (among others sperm count, sperm viability and sperm motility), decrease of histopathological and apoptotic changes in testicular tissue and an increase in testosterone serum concentration [54]. In a study by Sen Gupta et al [24], vitamins C and E had a beneficial effect on the reproductive system of rats exposed to Cd by increasing testis StAR mRNA levels and the activity of steroidogenic enzymes (17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) in the testis.…”

Natural Products as Protective Agents for Male Fertility

“…Although fewer works that compare the effects of microalgae are available, some algae also seem to have garnered interest in terms of reproductive purposes. Such is the case of Halopteris scoparia, a brown alga that is generally consumed as a salad in Far East countries, which ha sbeen reported to protect against cadmium chloride-induced testicular damage in mice [186]. In another study, fucoxanthin extract from brown algae Laminaria japonica ameliorated male reproductive function in diabetic rats by (i) decreasing the glucose level, (ii) restoring sperm motility, (iii) reducing sperm abnormalities, (iv) enhancing enzymatic antioxidant activity, (v) reducing proinflammatory cytokine levels, and (vi) recovering LH and testosterone levels [187].…”

Detailed Chemical Prospecting of Volatile Organic Compounds Variations from Adriatic Macroalga Halopteris scoparia

“…They grow on the rocks and have olive to dark-brown or reddish-brown thalli [ 1 ]. The extracts prepared from seaweeds belonging to Halopteris genus have shown various biological activities, including antiprotozoal activity [ 2 , 3 ], antibacterial activity [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], antifungal activity [ 7 , 8 ], apoptotic/cytotoxic activity [ 9 ], antioxidant activity [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], anti-inflammatory activity [ 12 ], anticoagulant activity [ 13 ], anti-acetylcholinesterase activity [ 14 ], and antifouling activity [ 7 ].…”