OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effect of the Phyllanthus Urinaria (PU) extract on the N-cadherin expression in the testicular tissues disrupted by nitrogen mustard (HN2) in vivo.

METHODSHN2 was intraperitoneally injected into male KM mice at the dose of 5 mg/kg to make reproductive toxicity models, and at the same time PU was administered for intervention at the dose of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. N-cadherin distribution, mRNA and protein expression in the testicular tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSN-cadherin was mainly distributed in the membrane and cytoplasm of Sertoli cells at the basement of seminiferous epithelia, Leydig cells and peritubular cells, scarcely expressed in the basement of seminiferous epithelia and peritubular cells after HN2 administration. The expressions of mRNA and proteins of N-cadherin were significantly elevated with the increased dose of PU (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control, the distribution and expression of N-cadherin showed no significant differences in either the high-dose PU group or the HN2 with high-dose PU intervention group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe PU extract can effectively promote the N-cadherin expression in the testis tissues disrupted by HN2.