<i>Spinacia oleracea</i> modulates radiation-induced biochemical changes in mice testis

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to investigate the radioprotective efficacy of spinach against radiation induced oxidative stress, since its leaves are rich in antioxidants like carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin) and high content of proteins, minerals, vitamin C. For the experimental study, healthy Swiss mice were selected from an inbred colony and divided into four groups. Group I (normal) it did not receive any treatment. Group II (drug treated) was orally supplemented with extract of spinach extract once daily at the dose of 1100 mg/kg for fifteen consecutive days. Group III (control) received distilled water orally equivalent to spinach extract for fifteen days than exposed to 5 Gy of gamma radiation. Group IV (experimental) was also administered orally with spinach extract for 15 consecutive days once daily. Thereafter, exposed to single dose of 5Gy of gamma radiation. After the exposure mice were than sacrificed at different autopsy intervals viz. 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days. Testis was removed for various biochemical estimations viz. LPO, protein, cholesterol and glycogen. Radiation induced augmentation in lipid peroxidation, glycogen and cholesterol values were significantly ameliorated by supplementation of SE extract, whereas radiation induced deficit in protein content could be elevated. This indicates that spinach extract pre - treatment renders protection against various biochemical changes in the mice testis to some extent if taken continuously which might be due to synergistic effect of antioxidant constituents present in the spinach.

Protective role ofAloe veraagainst X-ray induced testicular dysfunction

“…Testicular tissue remains vulnerable to oxidative stress‐induced pathologies due to the inherent abundance of highly unsaturated fatty acids, high metabolic activity, high mitotic activity and the presence of potential ROS‐generating systems (Sheweita et al, ; Sisodia et al., ). The high rates of cell division inherent in this process imply correspondingly high rates of mitochondrial oxygen consumption by the germinal epithelium.…”

Evaluating the antifertility potential of an aqueous extract from Cassia fistula seeds in male rats

“…Reduced glycogen reflects a decrease in the number of postmeiotic germ cells, which are thought to be the sites of glucose metabolism. A decrease in glycogen content could also be due to increased glycogenolysis (30). Increased cholesterol levels may be due to decreased androgen production, which resulted in accumulation of cholesterol in the testes, and thus impaired spermatogenesis (31).…”

Anti-inflammatory potential of Spinacia oleracea leaf extract

“…[25] Bergmen et al, [26] reported the presence of an antioxidant component in S. oleracea as, both fl avonoids and β-coumaric acid, in the leaves. The potent antioxidant activity of S. oleracea has also been reported by Sisodia et al [27] and Bhatia et al, [28] as a protector of radiation-induced oxidative damage, due to the presence of rich carotinoid contents (β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthine). Several polyphenolic compounds act as potent cyclooxygenase inhibitors, combating with oxidative stress in the body and maintaining a balance between oxidants and antioxidants, to improve human health.…”