Ocimum tenuiflorum mitigates iron‐induced testicular toxicity via modulation of redox imbalance, cholinergic and purinergic dysfunctions, and glucose metabolizing enzymes activities

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a primary culprit in the pathophysiology of infertility conditions in males. This study investigated the effects of Ocimum tenuiflorum on redox imbalance, cholinergic and purinergic dysfunctions and glucose dysmetabolism in oxidative‐mediated testicular toxicity using in vitro, ex vivo and in silico models. Induction of oxidative testicular injury was carried out by incubating normal testicular tissue with 0.1 mM FeSO4 and treated by co‐incubating with different concentrations of O. tenuiflorum infusion for 30 min at 37°C. O. tenuiflorum displayed significant ferric reducing power activity while scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl (OH˙) free radicals in vitro. Oxidative testicular injury significantly reduced the glutathione level and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities with concomitant elevation of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and acetylcholinesterase, ATPase, fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase and glycogen phosphorylase (GlyP) activities. Incubation with the infusion significantly reversed these levels and activities. The phytochemical constituent of the infusion was detected by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy analysis and revealed favourable binding energies when docked with some of the studied proteins. These results suggest O. tenuiflorum exerts a protective effect against Fe2+ induced testicular toxicity via mitigation of redox imbalance while modulating metabolic dysfunctions linked to male infertility.

Effect of Flavonoid-Rich Extract From Dalbergiella welwitschii Leaf on Redox, Cholinergic, Monoaminergic, and Purinergic Dysfunction in Oxidative Testicular Injury: Ex Vivo and In Silico Studies

“…8 Besides, abnormal testicular activities of both purinergic and monoaminergic have been documented as a key repressor of spermatogenesis and impotence in males. 9 Hence, controlling of these enzyme activities can serve as an important factor in managing/treating male infertility. 10 Because of their accessibility, affordability, and availability, medicinal plants have been utilized to treat and manage a variety of conditions all over the world.…”

“…8 Besides, abnormal testicular activities of both purinergic and monoaminergic have been documented as a key repressor of spermatogenesis and impotence in males. 9 Hence, controlling of these enzyme activities can serve as an important factor in managing/treating male infertility. 10…”

Harpephyllum caffrum fruit (wild plum) facilitates glucose uptake and modulates metabolic activities linked to neurodegeneration in isolated rat brain: An in vitro and in silico approach

“…Hence, antioxidants play a vital role in health. Plants and their natural products have been documented for their potent antioxidant capacity, associated with their intrinsic bioactive chemical constituents (Cui et al, 2020; Olofinsan et al, 2021; Sultana et al, 2021). Therefore, in vitro antioxidant properties displayed by the H. caffrum fruit may be attributed to its bioactive components (Table 1).…”

Ocimum tenuiflorum extract (HOLIXERTM): Possible effects on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in modulating stress

“…It is a sacred Indian medicinal plant with longstanding traditional use in multiple Indian systems of medicines such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani [ 11 ]. Ocimum tenuiflorum has protected against iron-induced testicular toxicity by counteracting redox imbalance [ 12 ] and exhibited better seizure control, memory retention, oxidative stress reduction, and neuronal structure preservation [ 13 ]. It showed antistress effects in different animal models [ 14 ] and prevented a stress-induced decline in macrophage function [ 15 ].…”