Gonadoprotective ability ofVincetoxicum arnottianumextract against bisphenol A‐induced testicular toxicity and hormonal imbalance in male Sprague Dawley rats

Abstract

Vincetoxicum arnottianum (Wight) of family Apocynaceae is a rich source of therapeutic alkaloids, phenolics and flavonoids. Study aims to evaluate the protective potential of methanol extract of Vincetoxicum arnottianum (VAM) on bisphenol A (BPA)‐induced testicular toxicity in male Sprague Dawley rat. Quantitative analysis of VAM for total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and total alkaloid content (TAC) along with HPLC analysis for polyphenolics was carried out. BPA‐induced testicular toxicity was determined through analysis of antioxidant enzymes, DNA damages and testicular histopathology along with reproductive hormones in serum of rat. VAM was constituted of TFC (382.50 ± 1.67 μg GAE/mg), TPC (291.17 ± 0.82 μg RE/mg), TAC (16.5 ± 0.5%), ferulic acid (2.2433 μg/mg) and vanillic acid (2.1249 μg/mg). VAM co‐administration to BPA‐treated rats attenuated the toxic effects of BPA and restored the body and testis weights. Altered level of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum, and level of antioxidants (GSH, POD, CAT and SOD) and nitric oxide in testis tissues of BPA‐induced toxicity were significantly restored by VAM. Histological and comet assay studies also sanctioned the protective potential of VAM in BPA‐intoxicated rats. The presence of polyphenols and alkaloids might contribute towards the scavenging and ameliorative potential of VAM in testicular toxicity induced by BPA.

Bisphenol A and Its Analogues Deteriorate the Hormones Physiological Function of the Male Reproductive System: A Mini-Review

“…In contrast, several previous studies have reported a decrease in the FSH and LH levels in the blood of adult male rats when exposed to various dosages of BPA ranging from 25 mg/kg/bw to 200 mg/kg/bw either via oral gavage or intraperitoneal injection [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 80 ]. A similar finding was also shown in rats who were exposed to BPA analogues.…”

“…LH in the blood binds to the LH receptor on the LC membrane to stimulate testosterone synthesis [ 93 ]. A previous study reported a decrease in the testosterone levels in the blood of adult male rats when exposed to BPA either during adulthood or exposure of offspring via oral gavage, subcutaneously, or intraperitoneal injection [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 80 ].…”

“…Most exposure to BPA and its analogues causes decreased testosterone levels due to the low level of LH and the disturbance of the steroidogenic enzyme cascade in the LC [ 52 , 56 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 72 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ]. In contrast, Roelofs et al [ 55 ] reported that exposure to BPF and BPS for 48 h caused an increase in the level of testosterone in the MA-10 LC culture.…”

“…BPA and its analogues were reported to disturb spermatogenesis by diminishing the BTB integrity, changing testicular histopathology, and causing sperm defects [ 52 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 80 , 81 ]. A study carried out by Li et al [ 105 ] found a disturbance in the BTB of male Wistar rats, which was proven by the reduction of occludin and nectin-3 when exposed to BPA in a dose-dependent manner.…”

“…Furthermore, these chemicals also have the ability to disturb gene expression, such as Kiss1 and CYP19A1, which are involved in the HPG axis and steroidogenesis, respectively [ 63 ]. Recently, the effects of BPA and its analogues on these three significant pathways, in the form of the HPG axis [ 56 , 59 , 62 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ], steroidogenesis [ 55 , 56 , 59 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ], and spermatogenesis outcomes [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 ]...…”