Saponins derived from the stems and leaves of Panax ginseng attenuate scrotal heat‐induced spermatogenic damage via inhibiting the MAPK mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) reaction is a stress response caused by adverse conditions. Currently, the incidence of reproductive malignancies particularly in males has been constantly increasing. This work investigated the effects of saponins derived from the stems and leaves of Panax ginseng (GSLS) on testicular injury induced by scrotal hyperthermia in mice. GSLS (150, 300 mg/kg) were administered intragastrically to mice for 14 days, then exposed to a single scrotal heat treatment at 43°C for 18 min on seventh day. HS induced a significant loss of multinucleate giant cells, desquamation of germ cells in destructive seminiferous tubules. Moreover, HS reduced the serum testosterone, testicular tissue superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione (GSH) content, while significantly enhanced the production of malondialdehyde (p < .05). GSLS exhibited the protective potential against HS‐induced injury not only by modulating Bcl‐2 family and caspase protease family, but also by suppressing the protein levels of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and activation of Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways (p < .05). In conclusion, we clearly demonstrated that GSLS exhibited a significant protective effect against HS‐induced testicular dysfunction, mainly the inhibition of oxidative stress associated apoptosis partly via regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway.

Structural characterization of a new amino acid derivatives, Maillard Reaction product of red ginseng and potential protective activity against cisplatin-evoked intestinal injury

“…al., 2022). When a large amount of ROS accumulated it increased mitochondrial permeability, stimulated proapoptotic factor release and initiated apoptosis(Liu et al, 2021). Consistently, this study indicated that Hoechst 33258 staining and western blot analysis to further detect apoptosis both in mice and in IEC-6 cells.…”

Effects of Macleaya cordata Extract on Blood Biochemical Indices and Intestinal Flora in Heat-Stressed Mice

“…Our current research found that the serum HSP70 level was increased during HS exposure. In previous studies, HS led to a significant increase in the expression of HSP70 protein levels in testicular tissue [ 42 ] and liver tissue of mice [ 43 ]. Interestingly, the administration of MCE to heat-stressed mice reduced the HSP70 level, which is identical to the findings in sows and IUGR piglets [ 44 ].…”

The Prostate-Associated Gene 4 (PAGE4) Could Play a Role in the Development of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia under Oxidative Stress

“…On the contrary, H 2 O 2 combined with overexpression of PAGE4 weakened the activation of JNK1/2 and enhanced the activation of ERK1/2. It is speculated that oxidative stress induces cell death partly through activating the JNK pathway which has been known to be able to trigger an apoptotic cascade [ 38 , 39 ]. In contrast, the ERK pathway that promotes cell survival is also activated under OS, acting in conjunction with the JNK pathway to balance cell death [ 40 ].…”