Entomotherapeutic Role of Periplaneta americana Extract in Alleviating Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles-Induced Testicular Oxidative Impairment in Migratory Locusts (Locusta migratoria) as an Ecotoxicological Model

Abstract

In this study, we shed light for the first time on the usage of migratory locusts (Locusta migratoria) as an insect model to investigate the nanotoxicological influence of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles at low doses on testes, and evaluate the capacity of a whole-body extract of American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) (PAE) to attenuate Al2O3 NPs-induced toxicity. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalyzer (EDX) analysis verified the bioaccumulation of Al in testicular tissues due to its liberation from Al2O3 NPs, implying their penetration into the blood–testis barrier. Remarkably, toxicity with Al engendered disorders of antioxidant and stress biomarkers associated with substantial DNA damage and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, histopathological and ultrastructural analyses manifested significant aberrations in the testicular tissues from the group exposed to Al2O3 NPs, indicating the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Molecular docking analysis emphasized the antioxidant capacity of some compounds derived from PAE. Thus, pretreatment with PAE counteracted the detrimental effects of Al in the testes, revealing antioxidant properties and thwarting DNA impairment and cell apoptosis. Moreover, histological and ultrastructural examinations revealed no anomalies in the testes. Overall, these findings substantiate the potential applications of PAE in preventing the testicular impairment of L. migratoria and the conceivable utilization of locusts for nanotoxicology studies.

Scuttle fly Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) endoparasitoid as a novel biocontrol agent against adult American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)

“…To survey the microstructure of adult flies, the samples were prepared as previously reported 24 , 25 with slight adaptations. Briefly, the specimens were euthanized, washed with a normal saline solution several times, and then preserved in 70% ethanol for 24 h before being dried using a critical point dryer (Minnesota, USA).…”

The Synergistic Influence of Polyflavonoids from Citrus aurantifolia on Diabetes Treatment and Their Modulation of the PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 Signaling Pathways: Molecular Docking Analyses and In Vivo Investigations

“…To evaluate the lipid peroxidation in the tissue homogenates, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) was estimated, as described earlier [ 40 ], while glutathione (GSH) was assessed spectrophotometrically following the protocol reported by Jollow et al [ 41 ]. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were estimated following the procedures of Nishikimi et al and Abei et al, respectively [ 42 , 43 ].…”

“…To evaluate the lipid peroxidation in the tissue homogenates, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) was estimated, as described earlier [40], while glutathione (GSH) was assessed spectrophotometrically following the protocol reported by Jollow et al [41].…”

Three-Dimensional Bioprinting of Organoid-Based Scaffolds (OBST) for Long-Term Nanoparticle Toxicology Investigation

“…Insects [ 24 ], rodents, rabbits and pigs are widely used for in vivo nanotoxicology and nanomedical preclinical studies [ 3 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], with advantages in understanding bioavailability and biodistribution among organs, but are not exempt from limitations, not only related to animal/facility costs, such as the evaluation of the number of nanoparticles interacting with cellular populations and of the kinetics and diffusion of nanoparticles–membrane internalization.…”