This study was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effect of ginger extract on ethanol-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. Twenty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated daily for 28 days as follows: control, control-ginger (1 g/kg of body weight [BW]/day by gavage), ethanol group (ethanol 4 g/kg of BW/day by gavage), and ginger-ethanol group. At the end of the experiment, all the rats were sacrificed and their testes were removed and used for measurement of the total homocysteine (tHcy), trace elements, antioxidant enzymes activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results in the ethanol group indicate that ethanol decreased antioxidant enzymes activity and increased MDA and tHcy compared with the control groups (P < .05). In ginger-ethanol group, ginger improved antioxidant enzymes activity and reduced tHcy and MDA compared to ethanol group (P < .05). It can be concluded that ginger protects the ethanol-induced testicular damage and improves the hormonal levels, trace elements, antioxidant enzymes activity, and decreases tHcy and MDA.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid or ascorbate) is a biomolecule that participates in many biochemical processes. It is an essential nutrient for humans, however, in some species such as rodents and guinea pigs is synthesized. It has a variety of functions in the body that we might venture to say make it a very important antioxidant nature and pro-oxidant. L-ascorbic acidic a reduced form of vitamin C and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) is the oxidized form of ascorbate, both L-ascorbic acid and dihydroascorbic acid retain the vitamin C activity. Dehydro-ascorbate is reconverted to ascorbate in the cytosol by cytochrome b reductase and thioredoxin reductase in reactions involving NADH and NADPH, respectively. Ascorbate is transported into the cell via the sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters (SVCTs), which causes accumulation of ascorbate within cells against a concentration gradient. Dehydroascorbic acid, the oxidized form of ascorbate, is transported via glucose transporters family (GLUTs). The highest concentrations of ascorbate in the body are found in brain and adrenal gland. Vitamin C also acts as a co-factor in several enzyme reactions. This vitamin is an essential biochemical factor in the reproductive process. The pharmacophore of vitamin C is the ascorbate, ascorbate is an antioxidant.Ascorbate is a neuromodulator of glutamatergic and dopaminergic system and related behaviors. It also improves components of the immune system. Given the wide role of ascorbate, further investigation is necessary to evaluate the exact mechanism(s) underlying these effects. In this review we will consider a short overview of the characteristics and function of vitamin C (relying on antioxidant function) in various tissues. Keywords: Vitamin C; Antioxidant Activity; Oxidative Stress

Occupational and environmental exposure to heavy metals such as arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) by inducing oxidative damage may impair male fertility. However, there is a new view that shows that the nano form of vitamins such as vitamin C, which have antioxidant activity, can be effective in improving this disorder. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of NVC (NVC) on reproductive toxicity caused by the combination of Pb and As on testicular histology, sperm morphology, oxidative stress parameters, and hormonal changes in male rats. In this experimental study, forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, NVC (200 mg/kg), As (50 ppm sodium arsenate), Pb (500 ppm Pb acetate), As + NVC, and Pb + NVC. FSH, LH, and testosterone levels were measured in serum. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), carbonyl protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured in testis. Histological examination and sperm parameters were also evaluated. FSH, LH, and testosterone levels and sperm parameters significantly decreased, and levels of protein carbonyl, MDA, and DNA fragmentation increased in the As and Pb groups, while treatment with NVC could improve them. Histological evaluation and sperm parameters in As and Pb groups showed damage in the process of spermatogenesis and sperm parameters. The treatment with NVC could significantly improve these parameters. The activity of GPx, SOD, and CAT in testis decreased in As and Pb groups, while treatment with NVC could enhance them. It can be concluded that NVC by inhibiting oxidative damage and improving serum level of testosterone, LH, and FSH could overcome As- and Pb-induced reproductive dysfunction.