Tooba Nauroze , Shaukat Ali , Shagufta Andleeb , Chaman Ara , Lubna Kanwal , Samaira Mumtaz , Muhammad Summer , Rizwan Ullah
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Infertility has been observed as one of the major issues in humans, one known risk factor is heavy metals.
Methods
The main focus of the present research was to assess the toxic effect of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) on sperm and its mitigation by Nigella sativa seed extract (NS) and its conjugated silver nanoparticles (NS + NP). In the present study, we administered 1.5 mg/kg body of Cr (VI) orally in mice for 60 days routinely, to induce toxicity in testes and effect on sperm production and motility in male mice. NS and NS + NP (50 mg/kg body weight) were administered to evaluate protective action against Cr (VI). The sperm were analyzed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and chromium concentration in testicular tissue was measured via the atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Results
The CASA analysis showed that Cr (VI) was directly linked with a decline in sperm concentration, motility, distance, velocity, straightness, and head beat frequency attributes. However, the administration of Nigella sativa seed extract and its green synthesized silver nanoparticles improved sperm concentration, motility, distance, velocity, straightness, and head beat frequency. The chromium content in the testes of Cr-exposed animals significantly increased, which negatively affected sperm parameters. However, Nigella sativa and Nigella sativa conjugated silver nanoparticles appeared to help in the removal of Cr content from testes hence improving the sperm parameters in exposed mice.
Conclusion
The decrease in Cr concentration improved sperm quality and quantity, hence, improve male fertility.
期刊介绍:
Toxicon has an open access mirror Toxicon: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. An introductory offer Toxicon: X - full waiver of the Open Access fee.
Toxicon''s "aims and scope" are to publish:
-articles containing the results of original research on problems related to toxins derived from animals, plants and microorganisms
-papers on novel findings related to the chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, and immunological properties of natural toxins
-molecular biological studies of toxins and other genes from poisonous and venomous organisms that advance understanding of the role or function of toxins
-clinical observations on poisoning and envenoming where a new therapeutic principle has been proposed or a decidedly superior clinical result has been obtained.
-material on the use of toxins as tools in studying biological processes and material on subjects related to venom and antivenom problems.
-articles on the translational application of toxins, for example as drugs and insecticides
-epidemiological studies on envenoming or poisoning, so long as they highlight a previously unrecognised medical problem or provide insight into the prevention or medical treatment of envenoming or poisoning. Retrospective surveys of hospital records, especially those lacking species identification, will not be considered for publication. Properly designed prospective community-based surveys are strongly encouraged.
-articles describing well-known activities of venoms, such as antibacterial, anticancer, and analgesic activities of arachnid venoms, without any attempt to define the mechanism of action or purify the active component, will not be considered for publication in Toxicon.
-review articles on problems related to toxinology.
To encourage the exchange of ideas, sections of the journal may be devoted to Short Communications, Letters to the Editor and activities of the affiliated societies.