Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt;
2
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
3
Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt;
4
Chemistry of Natural Compounds Department, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
5
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University
6
Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
7
Pharmacy research fellow at General administration for medical affairs
Abstract
The long term use of antidepressant drugs is linked to several negative impacts on the liver, kidney, and reproductive system. Red ginseng (GE) is highly recognized as a rich saponins plant with valuable biological properties. From this point, the current investigation focused on the potential safeguarding properties of (GE) aqueous extract against the degenerative effects of duloxetine (Dulo, a well-known antidepressant drug) on the male reproductive system. In a male rat model, Dulo was given at 2 doses (2.7 and 5.4 mg/kg BW orally), while GE was concurrently orally gavaged at 100 mg/kg BW for 2 consecutive months. Assessments of semen quality, relative testes weight, serum sex hormones, testicular oxidant/antioxidant status, and histopathological and immuno-histochemical changes in both seminal vesicle and testes were utilized. Dulo administration dose-dependently (P < 0.05) was associated with a significant loss of sperm motility % and sperm cell concentration, with a marked drop in the live-to-dead sperm ratio, and a considerable % of sperm abnormalities. Furthermore, a significant decline (P < 0.01) in the relative testes weight, coupled with disturbances in serum sex hormones viz. total testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, along with marked repression in the testicular antioxidant defence mechanism. Additionally, several structural changes and inflammatory-stimulated apoptosis reactions were noticed in the testes and seminal vesicles of rats treated with Dulo in a dose-dependent manner. All these alterations accompanied by Dulo administration at the 2 adopted doses were significantly (P < 0.01) ameliorated by GE administration through preserving semen quality and relative testes weight, balance of serum sex hormones, and alleviating oxidative stress in the testicular tissues. Moreover, GE significantly well-maintained the testicular and seminal vesicle structures, and dampened the over-expression of tumour necrosis factor α, and BAX, with up-regulating BCL2 expression in the testes and seminal vesicles (P < 0.05). It could be concluded that GE possesses considerable mitigating actions against the toxic impacts of Dulo on male gonads through exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, making it a target for future studies as an effective agent in preserving the male reproductive system.
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