Potential Protective Effect of Puncture Vine (Tribulus terrestris, L.) Against Xylene Toxicity on Bovine Ovarian Cell Functions

Abstract

The action of the medicinal plant Tribulus terrestris (TT) on bovine ovarian cell functions, as well as the protective potential of TT against xylene (X) action, remain unknown. The aim of the present in vitro study was to elucidate the influence of TT, X and their combination on basic bovine ovarian cell functions. For this purpose, we examined the effect of TT (at doses of 0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml), X (at 20 μg/ml) and the combination of TT + X (at these doses) on proliferation, apoptosis and hormone release by cultured bovine ovarian granulosa cells. Markers of proliferation (accumulation of PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of Bax) and the release of hormones (progesterone, testosterone and insulin-like growth factor I, IGF-I) were analyzed by quantitative immunocytochemistry and RIA, respectively. TT addition was able to stimulate proliferation and testosterone release and inhibit apoptosis and progesterone output. The addition of X alone stimulated proliferation, apoptosis and IGF-I release and inhibited progesterone and testosterone release by ovarian cells. TT was able to modify X effects: it prevented the antiproliferative effect of X, induced the proapoptotic action of X, and promoted X action on progesterone but not testosterone or IGF-I release. Taken together, our observations represent the first demonstration that TT can be a promoter of ovarian cell functions (a stimulator of proliferation and a suppressor of apoptosis) and a regulator of ovarian steroidogenesis. X can increase ovarian cell proliferation and IGF-I release and inhibit ovarian steroidogenesis. These effects could explain its anti-reproductive and cancer actions. The ability of TT to modify X action on proliferation and apoptosis indicates that TT might be a natural protector against some ovarian cell disorders associated with X action on proliferation and apoptosis, but it can also promote its adverse effects on progesterone release.

The Potential Effects of Tribulus Terrestris L. On Cellular Parameters and Steroidogenesis in Vitro

“…The results demonstrated backward restoration without significance in both testosterone and luteinizing hormone secretion with Tribulus terrestris extract (10 mg/kg) after 90 days. A similar influence was researched in Tarko et al (2022) study. They elucidated the effect of Tribulus terrestris alone and in combination with xylene on basic bovine ovarian cell functions in vitro for 48 h. Testosterone release was positively stimulated at a concentration of 100 ng/ml Tribulus extract with xylene compared to the control group, with significance (P < 0.05).…”

Dietary Supplementation of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Alters Ovarian Functions of Xylene-Exposed Mice

“…Women exposed to aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., xylene) had reduced levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) [ 6 , 7 ], follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prostaglandin [ 6 ], as well as pregnanediol 3-glucuronide (pd3G) and estrone 3-glucuronide (E13G) [ 7 ]. In vitro studies showed that xylene was able to affect proliferation, apoptosis, and the release of steroids, peptide hormones, and prostaglandins by cultured murine [ 8 ], porcine [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], and bovine [ 12 ] ovarian cells. The adverse effects on the ovary could be due to the ability of xylene to induce oxidative stress and to affect the production and reception of steroid hormones, as well as the intracellular regulators of ovarian cell proliferation and apoptosis [ 2 ].…”

“…One such remedy could be the use of functional food—plant products containing flavonoids, which can act as natural adaptogens, antioxidants, and phytoestrogens [ 2 ]. Previously, the abilities of some plants (buckwheat, rooibos, Vitex Agnus cactus [ 11 ]; Tribulus Terrestris [ 12 ]) and plant molecules (quercetin [ 9 ]) to mitigate xylene effects on cultured porcine and bovine ovarian cells have been reported. Nevertheless, the effects of these plant additives have been studied only in the in vitro systems, but these additives were able to prevent only part of the xylene effect.…”