Effects of Melissa officinalis extract in the expression of NLRP3 gene in testicular tissue and sperm parameters in the male rat model of spinal cord injury

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe condition of the central nervous system that can significantly impact multiple physiological functions, including the male reproductive system. The study aimed to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of the plant Melissa officinalis (MO) on testicular structure and sperm parameters in a male rat model of spinal cord injury. Thirty-six male Wistar rats, weighing between 225 and 250 g, were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into four groups: 1-Control group (Co): Underwent laminectomy without spinal cord injury. 2-Vehicle group (V): Received normal saline (equal volume of drugs, daily). 2-Treatment group 1 (MO1): Received hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis (100 mg/kg, daily). 4-Treatment group 2 (MO2): Received hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis (150 mg/kg, daily). All injections were administered intraperitoneally 24 h after SCI for 52 days. SCI was induced using an aneurysm clip applied at the T10 vertebral level for 1 min. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) and Open Field (OFT) behavioral tests were performed every three days until day 52. Afterward, the rats were sacrificed, and the testes, along with the right epididymis were collected for analysis. Sperm parameters (quantity, motility, and morphology) were assessed. The expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) genes were evaluated using real-time PCR. Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured by ELISA. In the MO treatment group, compared to the vehicle group, inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, IL-1β, lipid peroxidation (P = 0.0001), and NLRP3 gene expression were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The diameter and germinal epithelium thickness of the seminiferous tubules, as well as sperm count, were significantly increased in the treatment groups compared to the vehicle group (P < 0.05). Motor function and antioxidant enzyme levels also showed a significant increase following treatment (P < 0.05). MO treatment can significantly mitigate the secondary effects of spinal cord injury on testicular tissue.