Study on the mechanism of total saponins of diaphragma juglandis fructus improving testicular function in rats
- VernacularTitle:核桃分心木总皂苷改善大鼠睾丸功能的机制研究
- Author:
Peng LIU
1
;
Zhen WANG
;
Ying WANG
;
Ben-xiang HU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: diaphragma juglandis fructus; total saponins; D-galactose; aging; testicular function; Nrf2/HO-1 pathway
- From: Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(4):284-288
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of total saponins of diaphragma juglandis fructus(DJF)on testicular function in rats and its possible mechanism.Methods Fifty SD male rats were randomly divided into NC group,MG model group(MG group),DJF low-dose group(LDJF group),DJF medium-dose group(MDJF group)and DJF high-dose group(HDJF group),with 10 rats in each group.The NC group was given daily subcutaneous injection of normal saline 500 mg/kg,and the other groups were given daily subcutaneous injection of D-galactose 500 mg/kg for 8 weeks to establish the subacute aging rat model.After 4 weeks of subcutaneous injection,rats of the LDJF group,MDJF group and HDJF group were given 100 mg/kg,200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg DJF total saponin extract by gavage,respectively,and rats of the NC group and MG group were given 100 mg/kg normal saline by gavage,respectively,for 28 consecutive days.The body weight of rats in each group was measured,the testicular index and sperm parameters of rats in each group were analyzed,and the pathological changes of testicular tissue were observed.The serum levels of testosterone,oxidation factor superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in each group were detected.The expression of related proteins was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the NC group,testicular weight,testicular index,serum testosterone and SOD levels,sperm density,sperm survival rate and sperm activity of rats in MG group were decreased,and MDA level of rats in MG group was increased;the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue of rats in MG group were down-regulated,and the protein expressions of p53 and p21 in testicular tissue of rats in MG group were up-regulated,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Compared with the MG group,testicular weight,testicular index,serum testosterone and SOD levels,sperm density,sperm survival rate and sperm activity of rats in HDJF group were increased,and MDA level of rats in HDJF group was decreased;the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue of rats in HDJF group were up-regulated,and the protein expressions of p53 and p21 in testicular tissue of rats in HDJF group were down-regulated,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the above indexes between LDJF group,MDJF group and MG group(P>0.05).Compared with the NC group,the arrangement of spermatogenic cells in testicular tissue was disordered,the number of spermatogenic cells was reduced,and the number of spermatozoa in seminiferous tubule was reduced in the MG group.Compared with the MG group,the testicular morphology was improved and the number of spermatozoa was increased after DJF total saponins intervention,and the improvement was most obvious in the HDJF group.Conclusion DJF total saponins can effectively ameliorate the decline of testicular functionin in rats,which may be related to activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway,enhancement of antioxidant stress level and inhibition of aging-related protein expression.
