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Antiapoptotic and antioxidant capacity of phytochemicals from Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and their potential effects on monosodium glutamate-induced testicular damage in rat

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 28, pages 2379–2390 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), common flavor enhancer and feed additive, causes male reproductive dysfunction. However, Roselle tea, popular Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) beverage, has a controversial effectiveness on male fertility. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate either the adverse effect of aqueous HS extract (HSE) on the testicle or its potential ameliorative role including some stress markers, biochemical and immunohistochemical expressions in rats subjected to MSG. Here, the animals were divided into four groups that were given distilled water, HSE, MSG, and HSE + MSG respectively via gavage. After 6 weeks from the beginning of experiment, blood samples were collected for hormonal analysis. Additionally, testicular specimens were excised and processed for oxidative/antioxidant parameters determination, histological examination, and immunohistochemical evaluation of Bax and PCNA positive spermatogenic cells. Preliminary phytochemical analyses as well as antioxidant capacity of the HSE were tested. Our results revealed a strong inhibitory activity of the HSE phytochemical constituents against DPPH radical. MSG group revealed a significant decrease of testosterone, LH, FSH, and antioxidant parameters with elevated MDA compared with control and HSE groups. Additionally, an alteration of the testicular histo-architecture was observed among MSG group along with increased Bax and decreased PCNA positive cells. Meanwhile, the HSE showed a potent protective effect against testicular damage as well as oxidative stress induced by MSG. On the whole, our findings provide evidence that HSE can ameliorate MSG-induced testicular toxicity via induction of cell proliferation along with reduction of oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis in adult rat that attributed to the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of its phytochemical constituents.

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Data availability

Not applicable.

Abbreviations

MSG:

Monosodium glutamate

HS:

Hibiscus sabdariffa

HSE:

Hibiscus sabdariffa extract

PCNA:

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

FSH:

Follicle stimulating hormone

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

CAT:

Catalase

GSH:

Glutathione

PS:

Proportional score

IS:

Intensity score

TS:

Total score

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

DPPH:

1,1-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl

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Affiliations

  1. Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13736, Egypt

    Fatma Abdel-Monem Gad

  2. Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 4152, Egypt

    Sameh Mohamed Farouk

  3. Histology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13736, Egypt

    Mahmoud Abdelghaffar Emam

Authors
  1. Fatma Abdel-Monem Gad
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  2. Sameh Mohamed Farouk
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  3. Mahmoud Abdelghaffar Emam
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Contributions

F.A. Gad, S.M. Farouk, and M.A. Emam contributed to the design and implementation of the research, to the analysis and discussion of the results.

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Correspondence to Sameh Mohamed Farouk.

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Animals were handled and maintained in accordance with the guidelines of National Institutes of Health for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as the experiment was approved by Institutional Animal Cares and Use Committee Research Ethics Board (IACUCREB) at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt (Approval no; BUFVTM 01-04-20).

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Gad, F.AM., Farouk, S.M. & Emam, M.A. Antiapoptotic and antioxidant capacity of phytochemicals from Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and their potential effects on monosodium glutamate-induced testicular damage in rat. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 2379–2390 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10674-7

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Keywords

  • Monosodium glutamate
  • Hibiscus
  • Phytochemical analysis
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Oxidative damage
  • Testicular injury