Endometrial cancer is the most common type of cancer in the female reproductive system. Geraniol is acyclic monoterpene alcohol derived from essential oils of aromatic plants. This study aimed to investigate the apoptosis pathway of geraniol on Ishikawa cells. The cytotoxic effects of Geraniol on Ishikawa cells were determined by an MTT test. Ishikawa cells were seeded on cover slips, the IC50 dose was applied, and the cells were incubated with antibodies against Bax, Bcl-2, and TUNEL Assay. mRNA expression analysis of apoptosis-related genes was determined by RT-qPCR with an IC50 dose of Geraniol. The IC50 dose of Geraniol decreased Bcl-2 staining significantly, but it significantly increased Bax staining and TUNEL positive cells. A significant increase in the Bax, caspase3, caspase-8, cytochrome C and Fas genes and a significant decrease in the Bcl-2 gene was observed when the IC50 dose group was compared to the cells in the control group based on their mRNA expression levels.Analysis of expression of genes whose products are involved in apoptosis suggests the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway.

Neurological impairments are the leading cause of post-stroke mortality, while stroke-related cardiovascular diseases rank second in significance.This study investigates the potential protective effects of MitoTEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-[[2-(triphenylphosphonio) acetyl] amino]-1-piperidinyloxy, monochloride, monohydrate), a mitochondria-specific antioxidant, against cardiac and neurological complications following stroke. The objective is to assess whether MitoTEMPO can be utilized as a protective agent for individuals with a high risk of stroke. 17-week-old male Wistar Albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups: SHAM, ischemia-reperfusion (IR), and MitoTEMPO + ischemia-reperfusion (MT + IR; MitoTEMPO injection 0.7 mg/kg/day for 14 days). The SHAM group underwent a sham operation, while the IR group underwent 1-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 3 days of reperfusion. Afterwards, noninvasive thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) and electrocardiography (ECG) measurements were taken, and sample collection was performed for histological and biochemical examinations. Our TEB and ECG findings demonstrated that MitoTEMPO exhibited a protective effect on most parameters affected by IR compared to the SHAM group. Furthermore, our biochemical and histological data revealed a significant protective effect of MitoTEMPO against oxidative damage. The findings suggest that both IR-induced cardiovascular abnormalities and the protective effect of MitoTEMPO may involve G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signaling mechanisms. This study was conducted with limitations including a single gender, a uniform age group, a specific stroke model limited to MCA, and pre-scheduled only one IR period. In future studies, addressing these limitations may enable the implementation of preventive measures for individuals at high risk of stroke.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic and widespread disease that negatively affects the male reproductive system. Carvacrol (CAR), a naturally occurring flavonoid in plants, exhibits various biological and pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of CAR on testicular tissue damage induced by diabetes, which was modeled by Streptozotocin (STZ) administration. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Group 1: Control (n=8), Group 2: DM (n=8), Group 3: DM+DMSO (0.1 % dimethyl sulfoxide) (n=8), and Group 4: DM+CAR (20 mg/kg) (n=8). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal STZ injection (50 mg/kg). Histological changes were assessed using Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining and the Johnsen scoring system. Apoptosis was evaluated through immunohistochemical staining for the mitochondrial apoptosis markers Bax and Bcl-2, as well as RT-qPCR analysis of their gene expression levels. Fibrosis assessment involved Masson-Trichrome staining and RT-qPCR analysis of mRNA levels for the COL1A1 and COL3A1 genes. Additionally, Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Oxidative Stress Index (OSI), and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels were measured in testicular tissue. CAR treatment significantly improved histological alterations associated with diabetes-induced testicular damage. DM was found to increase Bax levels while reducing Bcl-2 levels, whereas CAR reduced Bax levels and increased Bcl-2 gene and protein expression. TOS and OSI levels were elevated in the DM group, whereas TAS levels increased in the DM+CAR group. No significant differences in CRP levels were observed between the groups. These findings suggest that CAR may be effective in mitigating diabetes-induced testicular damage.

Background: This study aims to compare methylprednisolone frequently used in the therapeutic practices of corrosive esophagus burns, sucralfate, a protective material of mucosal surfaces, and alpha lipoic acid, the most potent antioxidant in a rat model. Methods: A total of 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The rats were equally divided into control, alpha lipoic acid, methylprednisolone, and sucralfate groups (n=10). A corrosive esophagus burn was created by using 10% pH:12 sodium hydroxide. No treatment was applied to the control group, and each group was given their own treatment. The treatment was continued regularly until the eighth day, when they were sacrificed. The corrosive esophagus burn lines were removed and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Results: The difference in ulceration in the group treated with alpha lipoic acid was significant, compared to the other groups. The most excellent complete epithelialization and complete re-epithelialization were observed in the alpha lipoic acid group. The difference between the groups was significant, with complete re-epithelialization being the lowest in the control and methylprednisolone groups (42.9% and 12.5%, respectively) and the highest in the alpha lipoic acid group (77.8%). In terms of ulceration and re-epithelialization, comparable values were found in the alpha lipoic acid group. The main difference was that the inflammation levels in the sucralfate group were lower and more favorable than the other groups in this period. The glutathione level was significantly higher in the alpha lipoic acid group and decreased the tissue hydroxyproline level. Conclusion: Alpha lipoic acid reduces esophageal ulceration, severity and prevalence of inflammation, severity and prevalence of fibrosis, decreases tissue damage by increasing blood glutathione level, and also reduces stricture in corrosive esophagus burns in rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with vascular complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Natural antioxidants play a vital role in reducing diabetes-related damage. This study investigated the protective effects of the phenolic monoterpene carvacrol (CAR) against diabetic complications. Thirty-two male Wistar Albino rats (4 months, 250–300 g) were divided into four groups: control, DM, DM + DMSO, and DM + CAR. Type 1 diabetes was induced via intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). The DM + CAR group received 20 mg/kg CAR daily for four weeks. Body weight and blood glucose levels were regularly monitored. At the end of the study, aortic tissues were examined using hematoxylin–eosin (H&E), Verhoeff–Van Gieson, and immunohistochemical staining, while cardiac tissues were analyzed with H&E and Masson’s trichrome. Serum levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured. In the DM group, IMA and CHOL levels were increased (p = 0.0208 and p = 0.0207, respectively), apoptosis was elevated (caspase-3 expression, p = 0.0001), and marked tissue damage was observed. In contrast, in the DM + CAR group, IMA levels (p = 0.0228) and caspase-3 expression (p = 0.0457) were reduced, and notable improvements were detected in vascular and cardiac tissues. These results suggest that CAR protects against diabetic complications by modulating oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, and preventing tissue injury.

Objectives: Obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) is closely associated with impaired male fertility, primarily through oxidative stress, inflammation, and testicular dysfunction. Natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have gained increasing attention for their potential therapeutic effects. Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme complex derived from Ananas comosus, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities, suggesting potential protective effects against obesity-related reproductive impairments. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=9 per group). Animals were fed an HFD for 12 weeks to induce obesity, followed by one month of bromelain supplementation. Testicular tissues were histologically assessed using hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome staining. Serum and testicular samples were analyzed for antioxidant and oxidative stress markers, including paraoxonase-1 (PON1), arylesterase (ARE), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). Results: The HFD group showed significant testicular alterations, including thickening of the tunica albuginea, perivascular collagen accumulation, germ cell loss, and disrupted seminiferous tubule architecture (P<0.0001). Biochemically, TAS (P<0.0001) and PON1 (P=0.0041) levels were significantly decreased, whereas TOS (P<0.0001) and OSI (P<0.0001) levels were elevated. Bromelain supplementation mitigated histopathological changes, reducing collagen deposition and tunica albuginea thickness. Moreover, Bromelain significantly restored TAS and PON1 levels while decreasing TOS and OSI. No significant differences were observed in ARE (P=0.0002) activity between the groups. Conclusions: Bromelain supplementation attenuated HFD-induced oxidative stress and fibrotic alterations in testicular tissue, improving both histological and biochemical parameters. These findings suggest that Br may be a potentially beneficial natural supplement for alleviating obesity-induced impairments in male reproductive functions and associated metabolic dysfunctions.