Ginseng alleviates folliculogenesis disorders via induction of cell proliferation and downregulation of apoptotic markers in nicotine-treated mice

Masoumeh Faghani,Sahar Saedi,Korosh Khanaki,Fahimeh Mohammadghasemi

doi:10.1186/s13048-022-00945-x

Masoumeh Faghani, Sahar Saedi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-022-00945-x

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Abstract

BackgroundGinseng is a powerful phytoestrogen with high antioxidant properties.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of Panax Ginseng (PG) on folliculogenesis, proliferation, and apoptosis in the ovary impaired by nicotine.MethodsForty adult mice were divided into five groups. Control, sham, and nicotine groups, and co-treated groups of nicotine and ginseng in doses of 0.5 and 1 g/kg. Folliculogenesis was assessed via histopathology and serum evaluation of estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) by ELISA. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities both in homogenate tissue and serum were assayed by colorimetric analysis. Apoptotic markers of cytochrome c (Cyt c), Bax, and Bcl-2 were evaluated by RT-PCR. Proliferative index was studied by the Ki-67 immunostaining procedure.ResultsIn comparison to the control or sham groups, nicotine significantly reduced the levels of FSH, LH, and estradiol hormones. An insignificant reduction was observed in the progesterone hormone. Nicotine reduced all healthy follicle numbers, except primordial (P = 0.001). Malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased in tissue and serum in the nicotine group (P = 0.01). Serum catalase (CAT) and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) both were reduced in tissue and the serum, in the nicotine group. Nicotine induced a reduction in the proliferative indexes of granulosa and theca cells in pre-antral and antral follicles (P = 0.001). However, its effect on the proliferative index of stroma cells was not significant. Apoptotic markers were elevated in the nicotine group (P = 0.001). Co-treatment with ginseng elevated all sex hormones, increased healthy follicles, and reduced tissue or serum lipid peroxidation, compared with the nicotine group (p < 0.05). Co-Treatment with ginseng also reduced the expression of apoptotic markers and increased the proliferative indexes in granulosa and theca cells in pre-antral and antral follicles and also in stroma cells, in comparison to the nicotine group (P = 0.001). All above-mentioned alterations following treatment with ginseng were remarkable, especially in the dose of 1 g/kg.ConclusionThis study showed ginseng protects folliculogenesis via alteration of hypothalamic- pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, induction of proliferation in ovarian somatic cells, reduction of lipid peroxidation, and downregulation of apoptotic markers in the mouse ovary, treated with nicotine.

Highlights

Nicotine, as one of the important ingredients of cigarettes, disturbs the function of the cardiovascular, hepatic, urogenital, nervous, and endocrine systems [1, 2]
We aimed to investigate the effect of Panax Ginseng (PG) on folliculogenesis, apoptosis, proliferation index, and oxidative status in the mouse ovary, impaired by nicotine
Co-administration of PG and nicotine increased the level of serum estradiol, compared to the nicotine group; and it was significant in the 1 g/kg PGtreated group (p = 0.04) (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

As one of the important ingredients of cigarettes, disturbs the function of the cardiovascular, hepatic, urogenital, nervous, and endocrine systems [1, 2]. Physiology of endocrine glands of pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, testis and ovary altered following nicotine treatment [2, 4, 5]. Nicotine affects the morphology of the female reproductive tract in animal studies [5, 7]. It disrupts the luteal phase by inhibiting progesterone secretion [8], and causes morphological changes in the endometrium and epithelium of the fallopian tubules, and reduces the number of glands and mucosal folds [5].

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