Nanostructured biloalbuminosomes loaded with berberine and berberrubine for Alleviating heavy Metal-Induced male infertility in rats

Abstract

Despite the remarkable biological effects of berberine (BBR), particularly on fertility, its bioavailability is low. This study aims to test the effectiveness of novel nanostructured biloalbuminosomes (BILS) of BBR and its metabolite berberrubine (M1) in treatment of testicular and prostatic lesions. M1 was semi-synthesized from BBR using microwave-assisted reaction. The solvent evaporation method was used to prepare BBR-BILS and M1-BILS by three different concentrations of sodium cholate (SC) or glycocholate (SG), along with the incorporation of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The prepared BILS were fully characterized. Male infertility was induced by cadmium (Cd) at 5 mg/kg and lead (Pb) at 20 mg/kg contaminated water for 90 days, followed by treatment with BBR, M1, and their BILS (BBR-BILS and M1-BILS) for 45 days. Blood male infertility markers, testicular and prostatic oxidative stress status, autophagy, inflammation, along with testicular and prostatic concentrations of Cd and Pb, and histopathology of both tested tissues were determined using standardized protocols. The optimal BBR-BILS and M1-BILS nano-preparations, containing 30 mg SC, were chosen based on the best characterization properties of the preparations. Both nano-preparations improved heavy metals-induced testicular and prostatic deformities, as they reduced Bax and elevated Bcl-2 expressions in both tissues. Moreover, they activated the mTOR/PI3K pathway with a marked reduction in AMPK and activated LC-3II protein levels. Consequently, testicular and prostatic architecture and functions were improved. This study is the first to report the preparation of BBR and M1 BILS nano-preparations and proved their superior efficacy compared to free drugs against testicular and prostatic deformities by attenuating oxidative stress-induced excessive autophagy, offering a new hope to manage male infertility.