Silymarin modulates cadmium‐induced oxidative stress in human spermatozoa

Abstract

Environmental pollutants such as cadmium can negatively affect sperm parameters and decrease male fertility by inducing oxidative stress. Antioxidants are considered a useful strategy for oxidative stress conditions to neutralize free radicals and strengthen the antioxidant defence system. In this study, the effects of the common application of silymarin, as a natural antioxidant, with cadmium were assessed on human sperm. The washed human sperm samples were divided into five groups:(1) spermatozoa at 0-hour; (2) spermatozoa at 3 h; (3) spermatozoa treated with cadmium (20 μM) for 3 h; (4) spermatozoa treated with silymarin (2 μM) + cadmium (20 μM) for 3 h and (5) spermatozoa treated with silymarin (2 μM) for 3 h. Our results displayed that cadmium reduced sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity by increasing malondialdehyde levels and decreasing the total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes activity. While silymarin attenuated oxidative stress biomarkers in human sperm treated with cadmium, and consequently improved the sperm quality. In summary, cadmium-induced oxidative stress impaired human sperm structures and silymarin with its antioxidant properties compensated for the adverse effects of oxidative stress on human spermatozoa.

Ameliorative effects of propolis upon reproductive toxicity in males

“…Given that a reduction in antioxidant defense mechanisms is associated with a decrease in semen quality [56,57], it is possible to infer that the favorable antioxidant effects of propolis may support its ability to improve semen quality when reproductive toxicity is induced. Malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), which is a stable end product created from peroxidation of essential (i.e., polyunsaturated) fatty acids in the cell [58], is considered a marker of increased cellular oxidation reactions beyond the capacity of antioxidant defense mechanisms, a state termed oxidative stress [59][60][61][62]. Among 12 mechanistic studies, five have revealed a reduction in testicular MDA when propolis is present amid induced toxicity conditions (Table 2).…”

“…Malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), which is a stable end product created from peroxidation of essential (i.e., polyunsaturated) fatty acids in the cell [ 58 ], is considered a marker of increased cellular oxidation reactions beyond the capacity of antioxidant defense mechanisms, a state termed oxidative stress [ 59 - 62 ]. Among 12 mechanistic studies, five have revealed a reduction in testicular MDA when propolis is present amid induced toxicity conditions ( Table 2 ).…”