Protective Role of Cactus Cladodes Extract on Sodium Dichromate-Induced Testicular Injury and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a xerophyte plant that belongs to the Cactaceae family. The present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of cactus cladodes extract (CCE) on sodium dichromate-induced testis damage in adult male Wistar rats. For this purpose, CCE at a dose of 100 mg/kg was orally administrated, followed by 10 mg/kg sodium dichromate (intraperitoneal injection). After 40 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed, and the testes were excised for histological, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and antioxidant enzyme analyses. Sodium dichromate treatment significantly (P<0.01) decreased the body, testis, and accessory sex organ weights, sperm count and motility, and serum testosterone level. In addition, histological analysis revealed pronounced morphological alterations with tubular necrosis and reduction in the number of gametes in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules of sodium dichromate-intoxicated rats. Furthermore, exposure to sodium dichromate significantly (P<0.01) increased LPO level and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in testis. Interestingly, pretreatment with CCE significantly (P<0.01) restored the serum testosterone level, sperm count, and motility to the levels of the control group. Moreover, CCE administration was capable of reducing the elevated level of LPO and significantly (P<0.01) increased SOD, CAT, and GPx activities in testis. Cactus cladodes supplementation minimized oxidative damage and reversed the impairment of spermatogenesis and testosterone production induced by sodium dichromate in the rat testis.

Hepatoprotective effect ofTaraxacum officinaleleaf extract on sodium dichromate-induced liver injury in rats

“…In this work, intraperitoneal injection of sodium dichromate at a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w for 10 days resulted in a significant decrease in body weight and relative liver weight. This result is similar with the earlier observations (Hfaiedh et al, ). Similar to previously published data (Sipowicz et al, ), blood and liver chromium levels higher in sodium dichromate treated rats than in control animals confirming the absorption of the metal after i.p administration.…”

Antioxidant Opuntia ficus-indica Extract Activates AHR-NRF2 Signaling and Upregulates Filaggrin and Loricrin Expression in Human Keratinocytes

“…Keratinocytes are the major constituents of the epidermal barrier, expressing the sensor molecules for oxidation/antioxidation responses such as the AHR-NRF2 system. 13 Although OFIE was shown to exhibit potent antioxidant activity in vivo, 3,5,6 its mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant mechanism of OFIE using human keratinocytes.…”

“…2 According to several studies, cactus has high levels of important nutrients, such as minerals, carotenoids, fatty acids, and essential oil. 1,3 This desert plant can be used as an antiinflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycemic, and antiviral agent and may protect against numerous chronic diseases, including cancer, cardio-and cerebrovascular, ocular, and neurological diseases. 3,4 One of the most intriguing properties of OFI is its potent antioxidant activity.…”

“…1,3 This desert plant can be used as an antiinflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycemic, and antiviral agent and may protect against numerous chronic diseases, including cancer, cardio-and cerebrovascular, ocular, and neurological diseases. 3,4 One of the most intriguing properties of OFI is its potent antioxidant activity. OFI extract (OFIE) inhibits oxidative stress through sodium dichromate and protects against testicular injury in vivo.…”

“…OFI extract (OFIE) inhibits oxidative stress through sodium dichromate and protects against testicular injury in vivo. 3 It also attenuates hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress in obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats. 5 The hepatoprotective capacity of OFIE has also been demonstrated with reduced oxidative stress in a mouse model of aflatoxin B1 intoxication.…”