Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the ameliorative potential of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) leaf essential oil (PO) against the detrimental effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on the thyroid gland and testes of mice. Twenty-four adult male mice were divided into four groups and treated for 4 weeks. The 1st control group received 3 mL/kg olive oil intraperitoneally, twice a week followed by 0.5 mL/kg saline intragastrically daily. The 2nd CCl4 group received CCl4 (3 mL/kg intraperitoneally, twice a week). The 3rd PO group received PO (0.5 mL/kg intragastrically daily), while the 4th CCl4+PO group received CCl4 coadministrated with PO at the aforementioned doses. CCl4 group recorded significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significant (p < 0.05) increase in the lipid peroxidation end product's level malondialdehyde (MDA) in the testes and thyroid glands. Meanwhile, serum levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), total thyroxine (T4), and free thyroxine (fT4)) significantly decreased. Also, histopathologically, the testicular tissue showed hypospermatogenesis within irregular-shaped seminiferous tubules with prominent edema in the interstitial spaces confirming the aforementioned biochemical alterations. Treatment with PO significantly reduced the testicular and thyroid oxidative stress (p < 0.05) and elevated the testosterone (73.47%), FSH (92.11%), LH (33.33%), T3 (23.47%), fT3 (39.13%), T4 (27.91%), and fT4 (75%) as compared to that of CCl4-treated group corresponding values. The PO GC/MS analysis indicated bioactive monoterpenes (major component is 1,3,8-mentha triene 34.48%) and phenylpropenes (major component is myristicin 21.04%). Results suggested the ameliorative effect of PO against CCl4-induced hypogonadism in mice by suppressing oxidative stress and maintaining thyroid gland function.
Highlights
Oxidative stress defined as disturbance in the balance between the production of free radicals and the antioxidants of the body which protect their adverse alterations in lipids, proteins, and DNA and trigger diseases
Coadministration with PO markedly decreased the toxicity of CCl4 by significantly increasing the enzymatic activities of CAT and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significantly decreasing MDA levels
It is well known that CCl4 is a potent hepatotoxin and used to induce acute liver injury in experimental animal models by mechanisms involving oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation in the hepatocyte membrane, inflammatory responses, and
Summary
Oxidative stress defined as disturbance in the balance between the production of free radicals and the antioxidants (enzymatic and nonenzymatic) of the body which protect their adverse alterations in lipids, proteins, and DNA and trigger diseases. From the oxygen-containing free radicals occurring in many disease states are hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen singlet, hypochlorite, nitric oxide radical, and peroxynitrite radical. The source of these reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived normally through the metabolic processes or after exposure to environmental pollutants, smoking, addiction, radiation, and infections [3, 4]. Oxidative stress in testicular tissue decreased antioxidant enzymes and increased the production of NO, H2O2, and lipid peroxidation It increased apoptosis rate, induced DNA damage in sperm cells, and drained the seminal plasma antioxidants [6,7,8]
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