Abstract
The precise analysis of the contents of the red carrot is still ambiguous and its role in the maintenance of male fertility needs to be further reconnoitered. Hence, this study targets the physiological impacts of either red carrot methanolic extract (RCME) or vitamin E (Vit. E), co-administrated with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on rat testes, specifically those concerned with apoptosis and oxidative challenge. Four groups of adult male rats (n = 12) are used; control, CdCl2, CdCl2 + Vit. E and CdCl2 + RCME. LC-MS analysis of RCME reveals the presence of 20 different phytochemical compounds. Our data clarify the deleterious effects of CdCl2 on testicular weights, semen quality, serum hormonal profile, oxidative markers and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Histopathological changes in testicular, prostatic and semen vesicle glandular tissues are also observed. Interestingly, our data clearly demonstrate that co-administration of either RCME or Vit. E with CdCl2 significantly succeeded in the modulation (p < 0.05) of all of these negative effects. The most striking is that they were potent enough to modulate the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as well as having the ability to correct the impaired semen picture, oxidant status and hormonal profile. Thus, RCME and Vit. E could be used as effective prophylactic treatments to protect the male reproductive physiology against CdCl2 insult.
Highlights
The levels of male fertility exhibit marked decline; this is mainly attributed to the exposure of environmental pollutants even when this exposure occurs at low levels [1]
The results of the phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant activities of the red carrot methanolic extract (RCME) revealed that the total phenolic content was 38.46 ± 5.2 mg/g dry RCME expressed as a gallic acid equivalent, and the total flavonoid content was 22.32 ± 2.8 mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry RCME
A total of 20 compounds were characterized from the HR–LC–ESI–MS analysis of the RCME (Table 1 and Figures 1 and 2), with a noticeable abundance of anthocyanins that were principally dominated by cyanidin, pelargonidin and their derivatives
Summary
The levels of male fertility exhibit marked decline; this is mainly attributed to the exposure of environmental pollutants even when this exposure occurs at low levels [1]. Cadmium exposure becomes a serious public health concern, as it is involved in the industrialization of various agents, including batteries, electronic instruments, glasses and ceramic, in addition to its usage in plastic pigmentation, steel covering and its agricultural purpose as a fertilizer [3]. Tobacco plants have been generally accepted to be the most serious environmental source for Cd [4]. Cereal grains, aquatic foods and vegetables are the most common food categories involved in Cd exposure [6]. All of these factors augment the occasion of Cd exposure to animals and humans from their surrounding environment and are responsible for its serious health hazards.
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