1. Hydroalcoholic extract of Pfaffia glomerata alters the organization of the seminiferous tubules by modulating the oxidative state and the microstructural reorganization of the mice testes.
- Author
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Dias FCR, Martins ALP, de Melo FCSA, Cupertino MDC, Gomes MLM, de Oliveira JM, Damasceno EM, Silva J, Otoni WC, and da Matta SLP
- Subjects
- Animals, Hydrogen Peroxide metabolism, Male, Mice, Nitric Oxide metabolism, Oxidative Stress drug effects, Phytochemicals analysis, Phytochemicals pharmacology, Plant Extracts chemistry, Plant Roots chemistry, Sildenafil Citrate pharmacology, Testis metabolism, Testis pathology, Amaranthaceae chemistry, Plant Extracts pharmacology, Testis drug effects
- Abstract
Ethnopharmacological Usages: Leaves and roots of Pfaffia glomerata areused as aphrodisiacs, tranquilizers and antirheumatics. Due to the lack of experimental scientific data, studies are necessary to identify its medicinal properties., Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic root extract of P. glomerata (Brazilian ginseng extract - BGE) on testicular parenchyma, and evaluate possible harmful effects through testicular oxidative stress analysis., Materials and Methods: Adult mice were divided into 6 groups: control (water), sildenafil citrate, BGE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day), and BGE (200 mg/kg every three days)., Results: The treatment reduced the volumetric proportions of seminiferous tubules and epithelium, the number of Sertoli cells, and increased hydrogen peroxide levels, without affecting sperm production. It also caused cell death and changes in the frequency of stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycles. The 100 mg/kg dose responds in a similar way to sildenafil citrate, promoting changes in the gonadal structure, but with efficient response to contain the damage., Conclusions: Doses of 200 mg/kg, continuous or discontinuous, induced an increase in testicular nitric oxide, as well as sildenafil citrate, showing be efficient as aphrodisiac, but promotes cell death regardless of the form of administration., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2019
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