AIMTo evaluate the protective effects of ginger (Gin) and roselle (Ros) against testicular damage and oxidative stress in a cisplatin (CIS)-induced rodent model. Their protective effects against CIS-induced apoptosis in testicular and epididymal sperms is also investigated.

METHODSEthanol extracts of Gin or Ros (1 g/kg.day) were given orally to male albino rats for 26 days. This period began 21 days before a single CIS intraperitoneal injection (10 mg/kg body weight).

RESULTSGin or Ros given orally significantly restored reproductive function. Both tested extracts notably reduced the CIS-induced reproductive toxicity, as evidenced by restoring the testis normal morphology. In Gin and Ros, the attenuation of CIS-induced damage was associated with less apoptotic cell death both in the testicular tissue and in the sperms. CIS-induced alterations of testicular lipid peroxidation were markedly improved by these plant extracts.

CONCLUSIONThe present results provide further insights into the mechanisms of protection against CIS-induced reproductive toxicity and confirm the essential anti-oxidant potential of both examined extracts.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Flowers ; Ginger ; Hibiscus ; Magnoliopsida ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; Plant Roots ; Rats ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology

AIMTo evaluate the protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) against cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in rats and to study the mechanisms underlying these effects.

METHODSEthanol extracts of H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale (1g/kg x day) were given p.o. to male albino rats for 26 days, which began 21 days before a single cisplatin i.p. injection (10 mg/kg body weight).

RESULTSExtracts of H.sabdariffa and Z.officinale reduced the extent of cisplatin-induced sperm abnormality and enhanced sperm motility. Both extracts restored the control level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (lipid peroxidation marker) in the cisplatin-treated testis. The cisplatin injection induced decline in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) were significantly reversed to control levels in groups where cisplatin was preceded by the administration of either H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale.

CONCLUSIONBoth H.sabdariffa and Z.officinale treatment increased the activities of testicular antioxidant enzymes and restored sperm motility of cisplatin-treated rats. The protective effects of tested plants are, therefore, suggested to be mediated by their potent antioxidant activities.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cisplatin ; toxicity ; Ginger ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Hibiscus ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common papulosquamous skin disease in which an infective agent may be implicated. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in immune responses and in the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases. Our aim was to determine the possible roles of TLRs 3, 7, 8, and 9 in the pathogenesis of PR. METHODS: Twenty-four PR patients and 24 healthy individuals (as controls) were included in this case control study. All recruits were subjected to routine laboratory investigations. Biopsies were obtained from one active PR lesion and from healthy skin of controls for the detection of TLR 3, 7, 8, and 9 gene expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: This study included 24 patients (8 females and 16 males) with active PR lesions, with a mean age of 28.62 years. Twenty four healthy age- and sex-matched individuals were included as controls (8 females and 16 males, with a mean age of 30.83 years). The results of the routine laboratory tests revealed no significant differences between both groups. Significantly elevated expression of all studied TLRs were detected in PR patients relative to healthy controls (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: TLRs 3, 7, 8, and 9 might be involved in the pathogenesis of PR.