Protection of spermatogenesis in mice against gamma ray induced damage by Hippophae rhamnoides

Abstract

The radioprotective action of a preparation from Hippophae rhamnoides berries RH-3, already reported to render >80% survival against whole body 10 Gy gamma irradiation, was further investigated with respect to the testicular system. RH-3 was administered to mice 30 min before gamma irradiation (5 and 10 Gy) and histological parameters such as testis weight, sperm count, frequency of abnormal sperm, repopulation index, stem cell survival index and seminiferous tubular diameter were assessed on the 35th day. RH-3 administration partially countered radiation induced reduction in testis weight, sperm count, repopulation index and stem cell survival index (p < 0.01). The increase in the frequency of abnormal sperm (15.17 +/- 1.046%) caused by irradiation (5 Gy) was counteracted by pre-irradiation treatment with RH-3, which significantly decreased the level of abnormal spermatozoa to 7.99 +/- 0.918% (p < 0.001), i.e. 52% abnormalities in comparison with 5 Gy irradiated group. RH-3 treatment alone did not elicit any toxic or adverse effect on the process of spermatogenesis. The present study suggests that RH-3 treatment protected spermatogenesis by enhancing the spermatogonial proliferation, enhancing the stem cell survival and reducing sperm abnormalities. The presence of polyphenolic flavonoids and tannins in the extract and the radical scavenging activity might be responsible for the radioprotective action of RH-3.

Antimutagenic Effects of Tannic Acid on Somatic and Germ Cells of Rats

“…4). This finding is coping with earlier reports that demonstrated protective effects of other flavonoids in testicular tissue following exposure to various toxicants (Goel et al, 2006;Mersch et al, 2006;Izawa et al, 2007). Phenolic compounds work with enzymes and other antioxidants in the intestine, liver and lungs to prevent the activation of metabolic carcinogens (like BaP) before they damage DNA (VenKat, 2002).…”

Genistein Mitigates Radiation‐induced Testicular Injury

“…The SSI was proportional to the number of surviving stem cells that were capable of producing colonies in a given tubule cross section. However, SSI was not calculated when RI was 100% (Goel et al , ; Kim et al , ).…”

“…Four hundred spermatozoa per animal were evaluated for head and tail defects by light microscope at a magnification of ×400. The sperm morphology was classified as normal, small head, amorphous head, two heads/tails, straight hook, excessive hook, folded tail, short tail or no tail as previously described (Goel et al , ; Kim et al , ).…”

Smart Talk on Supplements and Botanicals: Exotic Fruits—Acai, Noni, Mangosteen, Sea Buckthorn, and Goji

“…Sea buckthorn leaf extracts produce adaptogenic activity, which has been shown in animal studies to be protective against many toxins, including mustard gas, arsenic, lead, chromium, and radiation. [5][6][7] Animal studies have confirmed that sea buckthorn is protective against development of ulcers, 8 and one human clinical trial showed a beneficial effect on liver enzymes in patients with cirrhosis. 9 Sea buckthorn has been widely used for many dermatologic conditions.…”