Diosmin Mitigates Sodium Arsenite-Induced Reproductive Dysfunction via Oxidative/Inflammatory Modulation and AKT/ERK Pathways in Male Rats | ||
Journal of the Medical Research Institute | ||
Volume 46, Issue 3, September 2025, Pages 10-22 PDF (1.62 M) | ||
Document Type: Original Article | ||
DOI: 10.21608/jmalexu.2025.422321.1065 | ||
Authors | ||
yasmine Khaled Mohamed1; Nema Mohammed Abd El-Hameed1; Hussein Khamis Hussein1; Heba Mohamed Abdou* 2 | ||
1Zoology Department, Faculity of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||
2Zoology Department, Faculity of Science, Alexandria Universty, Egypt | ||
Abstract | ||
Abstract Arsenic (As), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, poses a significant threat to human health. Diosmin (DIO), a natural flavone glycoside found in citrus fruits. This study inspected the protective effects of DIO against As-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats, with emphasis on oxidative stress, inflammation, and AKT/ERK signaling pathways. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups: control, As (10 mg/kg BW /day), As+DIO (10 mg/kg BW As + 200 mg/kg BW DIO/day), and DIO-only (200 mg/kg BW /day), orally for 35 days. As exposure significantly impaired sperm parameters, reduced reproductive hormone levels [gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH)], and decreased steroidogenic enzymes. It also elevated oxidative stress [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], inflammatory markers [nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)], protein kinase B/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (AKT/ERK) signaling, and caspase-3 expression, while suppressing antioxidant enzymes [reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)]. Co-treatment with diosmin (DIO) markedly restored antioxidant balance, reduced inflammation, normalized hormone and enzyme levels, and improved AKT/ERK signaling. Histological analysis confirmed structural recovery in testicular tissues and reduced caspase-3 expression. These results highlight DIO’s potential to counteract As-induced reproductive toxicity by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and key signaling pathways, supporting its therapeutic value in protecting male reproductive health | ||
Keywords | ||
Diosmin; Arsenite; Oxidative Regulation; impaired steroidogenesis; apoptosis | ||
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