Objectives: In this experimental study, a testicular torsion/detorsion model was used in male rats to investigate the effect of onion juice on male fertility factors and rate of pregnancy by intrauterine insemination (IUI). Materials and Methods: A total of 56 Wistar rats (28 males vs. 28 females) were included in this study. Male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including sham, testicular torsion/detorsion, testicular torsion/detorsion treated with onion juice (40 mg/kg, orally) 30 minutes before detorsion, and those rats that were only treated with onion juice. Treatment with onion juice was continued for 14 days after detorsion. At the end of the study, following anesthesia with ketamine/xylazine (5/1 mg/kg), levels of testosterone hormone as well as some oxidative stress markers in the blood serum of the male rats were analyzed. Furthermore, sperm parameters were assayed, and then fertility power of the male rats was investigated in the adult female rats using IUI method. Results: The results of the study showed that there was a significantly negative change in TD group in terms of histological parameters while they were decreased in treated groups. On the one hand, although serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased in TD group, other oxidative markers' (i.e., glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) serum levels and also testosterone hormone significantly decreased, on the other as compared to the other groups. In addition, the rate of sperm parameters and pregnancy presence were lower in TD group than those of other groups. However, onion juice as a treatment factor could improve the sperm quality and fertility power. Conclusions: The obtained results revealed that using onion juice could enhance the quality of sperm and fertility power after testicular torsion/detorsion.
Purpose: Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite that infects a broad range of warm blooded animals as well as humans. The present study was investigated to evaluate the effects of allium cepa on renal failur in male rats which experimentally infected by Toxoplasma gondii, RH strain. Methods: Wistar male rat (n=40) were allocated into four groups, group one that received tachyzoites of T. gondii (ip) (n=10), group two that received tachyzoites of T. gondii (ip), plus fresh onion juice by gavages method (n=10), group three received just fresh onion juice by gavages method (n=10) and control group (n=10) that received nothing. Animals were kept in standard condition. In 30 day after inducing Toxoplasma infection, 5cc blood was collected for serum protein and TAC levels. Kidney tissues of Rat in whole groups were removed and prepared for apopetosis analysis. Results: Serum protein and kidneys weights were significantly decreased in groups that were infected with T. gondii, in comparison to control and onions groups. Kidneys Apopetosis in toxoplasma group significantly increased in comparison to control group (P<0.05).level of TAC was significantly increased in groups that received onio juice (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that T. gondii have significantly effect on serum protein and TAC, apopetosis and fresh onion juice returned and treated this harmful effect, so it is suggested that eating of onion is useful in toxoplasma infection.
30 June 2011 in African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Citrus fruits have long been recognized as containing valuable sources of important nutrients which are biologically active in humans. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, contain compounds called phytochemicals that can be included into three major groups: the flavonoids, limonoids and carotenoids. The flavonoids are a group of benzopyran derivatives which occur widely in plants. The flavonoids typically consist of a benzene ring fused with the heterocyclic six-membered ring containing an oxygen atom. As citrus has an antioxidant’s potential, we want to evaluating its useful effect on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters. Wistar male rat (n=30) were allocated into three groups, control (n=10) and test groups (n=20), that subdivided into groups of 2 that received citrus extract powder (400 and 600 mg/rat) for 30 consequence day. Animals were kept in standard conditions. In twentieth day the testes tissue of rats in whole groups were removed and sperm was collected from epididymis and prepared for analysis. TAC, SOD levels and percentage of sperm viability and motility in both test groups significantly increased (p<0.05) in comparison to control group, whereas, sperm concentration, morphology and testes weights in both experimental and control group were similar. The level of MDA in both extract groups were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Results revealed that administration of 600 mg/kg/day citrus extract significantly increased the TAC, SOD levels and sperm percentage, viability, motility and decreased MDA levels. This suggested that citrus may be promising in enhancing sperm healthy parameters. Key words: Anti-oxidative, citrus, spermatogenesis, super oxide dismutase, testis.
14 October 2013 in African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines
Background: In modern countries today, herbal medicines are known to help in the treatment of various diseases, as rich sources of antioxidants and minerals. Objectives: To study the effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum) on spermatogenesis in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Wistar male rats (n = 20) were divided into two groups, a control group (n = 10) and a Cinnamomum zeylanicum group (n = 10). The subjects in the cinnamon group received 75 mg/kg/day cinnamon by gavage for 28 days, while the controls received an equal volume of distilled water daily. Animals were kept in standardized conditions. On day 28, a 5 mL blood sample from each rat was taken from tail area to measure testosterone, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Testes were collected and were then prepared for sperm analysis by the WHO method. Results: Sperm quality parameters, total serum testosterone, SOD, CAT, and GPX levels were significantly increased in the cinnamon group in comparison to controls (P < 0.05). Also, rats in the cinnamon group showed a significant decrease in the level of plasma MDA (P < 0.05) in comparison to controls. There were no significant differences between the groups in testis weight (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The administration of 75 mg/kg/day cinnamon significantly increased the sperm population, motility and viability, which supports the theory that in mammalians, cinnamon has a beneficial effect on spermatogenesis. Keywords: Catalase; Cinnamomum Zeylanicum; Spermatogenesis; Superoxide Dismutase; Testosterone