Abstract
Evidence showed that herbal medicine could be beneficial for protection against diseases that may be exist in consequence of exposure to environmental toxicants. Propylparaben (PrP) is used as preservative in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It is classified as one of endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs). This study evaluated the protective effect of Rhus tripartita methanolic extract (RTME) against reproductive toxicity induced by PrP in male rats. A total of 60 Wister albino rats were divided into four groups (15 rats for each group). Group I (control): rats received the vehicle (DMSO), group II: normal rats received RTME (10 mg/kg/day), group III: rats received PrP (10 mg/kg/day), and group IV: rats received PrP (10 mg/kg/day) and RTME (10 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and 5α-reductase were analyzed in sera. Data obtained showed a significant reduction in the levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and 5α- reductase in rats given PrP versus control (p < 0.001) and RTME treatment improved these parameters but not returned to normal. Data obtained showed a significant elevation in levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the testis of rats given PrP versus control (p < 0.001), these inflammatory mediators were significant reduced in rats treated with RTME compared with untreated rats (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between level of DHT and antioxidant enzymes activities (r = 0.56). A significant elevation in the levels of MDA with reduction in the activities of GST, GSPx, SOD, and catalase (p < 0.001) in rat testicular tissues of PrP group versus control (p < 0.001) was found. Treatment with RTME significantly reduced the levels of MDA and enhanced activities of GST, GSPx, SOD, and catalase (p < 0.001) compared to untreated group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the active ingredient components of RTME abrogate the toxicity of PrP by exhibiting antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, enhancing 5-α reductase with improved hormonal status against PrP- induced testicular damage.
Graphical Abstract
Toxicity of propylparaben, and effect of Rhus tripartita methanolic extract
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
All datasets generated or analyzed during this study are included in the manuscript.
Abbreviations
- RTME:
-
Rhus tripartita methanolic extract
- PrP:
-
propylparaben
- DHT:
-
dihydrotestosterone
- MDA:
-
malondialdehyde
- GTS:
-
glutathione transferase
- SOD:
-
superoxide dismutase
- GPXs:
-
glutathione peroxidase
- IL-6:
-
interlukine-6
- TNF-α:
-
tumor necrosis factor
- PBs:
-
parabens
References
Agarwal A, Baskaran S, Parekh N, Cho CL, Henkel R, Vij S, Arafa M, Panner Selvam MK, Shah R (2021) Male infertility. Lancet 397:319–333
Akram A, Oroojan AA, Heidari H, Ghaedi E, Nooshabadi MRR (2014) Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Rhus coriaria (Sumac) seeds on reproductive complications of nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced type-2 diabetes in male mice. World J Mens Health 32(3):151–158
Alahmar AT (2019) Role of oxidative stress in male infertility: an updated review. J Hum Reprod Sci 12(1):4–18
Amory JK, Bremner WJ (2003) Regulation of testicular function in men: implications for male hormonal contraceptive development. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 85:357–361
Anderson MT, Staal F, Gitler C, Herzenberg LA (1994) Separation of oxidant-initiated and redox-regulated steps in the NF-kappa B signal transduction pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci 91:11527–11531
Ates PS, Unal I, Ustundag UV, Alturfan AA, Yigitbasi T, Emekli-Alturfan E (2018) Methylparaben induces malformations and alterations on apoptosis, oxidant-antioxidant status, ccnd1 and myca expressions in zebrafish embryos. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 32(3):e22036
Alimi H, Mbarki S, Barka ZB, Feriani A, Bouoni Z, Hfaeidh N et al (2013) Phytochemical, antioxidant and protective effect of Rhus tripartitum root bark extract against ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. Gen Physiol Biophys 32:115e27
Brand W, Boon PE, Hessel EVS, Meesters JAJ, Weda M, Schuur AG (2017) Exposure to and toxicity of methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben: a literature review with a focus on endocrine-disrupting properties. RIVM Rep 28:1–109
Bräuner EV, Uldbjerg CS, Lim YH, Gregersen LS, Krause M, Frederiksen H, Andersson AM (2022) Presence of parabens, phenols and phthalates in paired maternal serum, urine and amniotic fluid. Environ Int 158:106987
Błedzka D, Gromadzi´nska J, Wasowicz W (2014) Parabens. From environmental studies to human health. Environ Int 67:27–42
Bodin L, Rogiers V, Bernauer U, Chaudhry Q, Coenraads PJ, Dusinska M, Ezendam J, Galli C L GE, Granum B et al (2021) Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer safety (SCCS)—Final opinion on propylparaben. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 125:105005
Baker BH, Wu H, Laue HE, Boivin A, Gillet V, Langlois MF, Bellenger JP, Baccarelli AA, Takser L (2020) Methylparaben in meconium and risk of maternal thyroid dysfunction, adverse birth outcomes, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Environ Int 139:105716
Ben Barka Z et al (2016a) Protective effects of edible Rhus tripartita (Ucria) stem extract against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. J Funct Foods 30:260–269
Ben Barka Z et al (2016b) Evaluation of the anti-diarrheal activity of the hydromethanolic root extract of Rhus tripartita (Ucria) (Anacardiaceae). Biomed Pharmacother Biomed Pharmacother 83:827–834
Bereketoglu C, Pradhan A (2019) Comparative transcriptional analysis of methylparaben and propylparaben in zebrafish. Sci Total Environ 671:129–139
Borochov-Neori H, Lazarovitch N, Judeinstein S, Patil BS, Holland D (2013) Climate and salinity effects on color and health promoting properties in the pomegranate (punica granatum l.) fruit arils. ACS Symp Ser 1129:43–61. https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2013-1129.ch003
Brown SE, Sant KE, Fleischman SM, Venezia O, Roy MA, Zhao L, Timme- Laragy AR (2018) Pancreatic beta cells are a sensitive target of embryonic exposure to butylparaben in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Birth Defects Res 110:933–948
Cotran RS (1999) Acute and chronic inflammation. Robbins Pathological Basis of Disease; Elsevier Health Sciences. PA, USA, Philadelphia, pp 50–88
Darbre PD, Harvey PW (2008) Paraben esters: review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks. J Appl Toxicol 28:561–578
Darbre PD (2017) Endocrine disruptors and obesity. Curr Obes Rep 6:18–27
Dewalque L, Pirard C, Charlier C (2014) Measurement of urinary biomarkers of parabens, benzophenone-3, and phthalates in a Belgian population. Biomed Res Int 2014:1–13, 649314
Dutta S, Sengupta P, Slama P, Roychoudhury S (2021) Oxidative stress, testicular inflammatory pathways, and male reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 22(18):10043
El-Mokasabi F (2014) The state of the art of traditional herbal medicine in the eastern Mediterranean coastal region of Libya. Middle East J Sci Res 21:575e82
Flohé L, Brigelius-Flohé R, Saliou C, Traber MG, Packer L (1997) Redox regulation of NF-kappa B activation. Free Radic Biol Med 22:1115–1126
Gazin V, Marsden E, Marguerite F (2013) Oral propylparaben administration to juvenile male wistar rats did not induce toxicity in reproductive organs. Toxicol Sci 136(2):392–401
Hines EP, Mendola P, von Ehrenstein OS, Ye X, Calafat AM, Fenton SE (2015) Concentrations of environmental phenols and parabens in milk, urine and serum of lactating North Carolina women. Reprod Toxicol 54:120–128
Hegazy HG, Ali EH, Elgoly AH (2015) Interplay between pro-inflammatory cytokines and brain oxidative stress biomarkers: evidence of parallels between butyl paraben intoxication and the valproic acid brain physiopathology in autism rat model. Cytokine 71:173–180
Hajizadeh Y, Feizabadi GK, Feizi A (2020) Dietary habits and personal care product use as predictors of urinary concentrations of parabens in Iranian adolescents. Environ Toxicol Chem 39:2378–2388
Haman C, Dauchy X, Rosin C, Munoz J-F (2015) Occurrence, fate and behavior of parabens in aquatic environments: A review. Water Res 68:1–11
Imen A, Criad P, Salmieri S, Najjaa H, Isoda H, Neffati M, Lacroix M (2019) Edible Rhus tripartita fruit as source of health-promoting compounds: characterization of bioactive components and antioxidant properties. Eur Food Res Technol 245:2641–2654
Jeong PS, Lee S, Park SH, Kim MJ, Kang HG, Nanjidsuren T, Son HC, Song BS, Koo DB, Sim BW, Kim SU (2020) Butylparaben is toxic to porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development following in vitro fertilization. Int J Mol Sci 21:3692
Kang S, Kim S, Park J, Kim H-J, Lee J, Choi G, Choi S, Kim S, Kim SY, Moon H-B et al (2013) Urinary paraben concentrations among pregnant women and their matching newborn infants of Korea, and the association with oxidative stress biomarkers. Sci Total Environ 461–462:214–221
Liu W, Zhou Y, Li J, Sun X, Li H, Jiang Y, Peng Y, Zhao H, Xia W, Li Y et al (2019) Parabens exposure in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus. Environ Int 126:468–475
Linder RE, Strader LF, Rehnberg GL (1990) Effect of acute exposure to boric acid on the male reproductive system of the rat. J Toxicol Environ Health 31(2):133–146
Mahjoub MA, Ammar S, Mighri Z (2005) A new biflavonoid and an isobiflavonoid from Rhus tripartitum. Nat Prod Res 9:723e9
Meng F, Jiao XF, Chen F, Zhang XY, Duan ZQ, Ding ZM, Wu D, Wang YS, Zhang SX, Miao YL, Huo LJ (2020) Isobutylparaben negatively affects porcine oocyte maturation through increasing oxidative stress and cytoskeletal abnormalities. Environ Mol Mutagen 61:433–444
Mohammed AEI (2015) Phytoconstituents and the study of antioxidant, antimalarial and antimicrobial activities of Rhus tripartite growing in Egypt. J Pharmacogn Phytochem 4:2762–2781
Nowak K, Ratajczak-Wrona W, G´orska M, Jabło´nska E (2018) Parabens and their effects on the endocrine system. Mol Cell Endocrinol 474:238–251
Oluwafemi OA, Nwafor-Ezeh PI, Rotimi DE, Iyobhebhe M, Ogunlakin AD, Ojo AB (2023) Apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in infertility: a mini review. Toxicology Reports 10:448–462
Paglia DE, Valentine WN (1967) Studies on the quantitative and qualitative characterization of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase. J Lab Clin Med 70(1):158–169
Pedersen KL, Pedersen SN, Christiansen LB, Korsgaard B, Bjerregaard P (2000) The preservatives ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben are oestrogenic in an in vivo fish assay. Pharmacol Toxicol 86:110–113
Rayne S, Mazza G (2007) Biological activities of extracts from sumac (Rhus spp.): a review. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 62:165–175
Roshankhah S, Gholami MR, Salahshoor MR (2020) Evaluation of male infertility treatment following Rhus coriaria extract administration on rats exposed to morphine. Mol Biol Rep. 47:6073–6081
Sahreen S, Khan MR, Khan RA, Shah NA (2013) Effect of Carissa opaca leaves extract on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity and reproductive hormones in male rats. Lipids Health Dis 12:90
Schilit SL, Menon S, Friedrich C, Kammin T, Wilch E, Hanscom C, Jiang S, Kliesch S, Talkowski ME, Tüttelmann F, MacQueen AJ (2020) SYCP2 translocation-mediated dysregulation and frameshift variants cause human male infertility. J Hum Genet 106(1):41–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg
Schreibe E, Garcia T, Sharma RP, Torrente M, Domingo JL, Gomez M (2019) Oxidative stress in testes of rats exposed to n-butylparaben. Food Chem Toxicol 131:110573
Shahat AA, Alsaid MS, Rafatullah S, Al-Sohaibani MO, Parvez MK, Mohammed S, Al-Dosaril MS, Exarchou V, Pieters L (2016b) Treatment with Rhus tripartita extract curtails isoproterenol-elicited cardiotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med 16:351
Shahat AA, Ibrahim AY, Al-Ghamdi AAM, Alsaid MS (2016a) Phytochemical investigation of Rhus tripartita and its activity against cyclooxygenases and acetylcholinesterase. Trop J Pharm Res 15(8):1697–1706
Shekhar S, Sood S, Showkat S, Lite C, Chandrasekhar A, Vairamani M, Barathi S, Santosh W (2017) Detection of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from maternal blood plasma and amniotic fluid in Indian population. Gen Comp Endocrinol 241:100–107
Soni MG, Carabin IG, Burdock GA (2005) Safety assessment of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens). Food Chem Toxicol 43:985
Tlili N, Tir M, Benlajnef H, Khemir C, Mejri H, Rejeb S et al (2014a) Variation in protein and oil content and fatty acid composition of Rhus tripartitum fruits collected at different maturity stages in different locations. Ind. Crops Prod 50:197–201
Tlili N, Mejri H, Ahia Y, Saadaoui E, Rejeb S, Khaldi A et al (2014b) Phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of Rhus tripartitum (Ucria) fruits depending on locality and different stages of maturity. Food Chem 160:98–103
Tlili N et al (2016) Effects of Rhus tripartitum fruit extract on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 94:801–807
Titi-Lartey OA, Khan YS (2022) Embryology, testicle. Stat Pearls Publishing, Treasure Island (FL) Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557763/. Accessed Apr 2022
Tanaka T, Kanatsu-Shinohara M, Lei Z, Rao CV, Shinohara T (2016) The luteinizing hormone-testosterone pathway regulates mouse spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal by suppressing WNT5A expression in sertoli cells. Stem Cell Rep 7:279–291
Walker M H & Tobler K J, Female Infertility (2020). PubMed; Stat Pearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556033/. Accessed Apr 2022
Wei F, Mortimer M, Cheng H, Sang N, Guo LH (2021) Parabens as chemicals of emerging concern in the environment and humans: a review. Sci. Total Environ 778:146150
Wiwat R, Toppari J, Virtanen HE (2023) Environmental toxicants and male fertility. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 86:102298
World Health Organization (2020) Infertility. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility. Accessed Apr 2022
Yang C, Lim W, Bazer FW, Song G (2018) Butyl paraben promotes apoptosis in human trophoblast cells through increased oxidative stress-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress. Environ Toxicol 33:436–445
Zegers-Hochschild F, Adamson GD, de Mouzon J, Ishihara O, Mansour R, Nygren K, Sullivan E, Vanderpoel S (2009) International committee for monitoring assisted reproductive technology and the world health organization revised glossary of ART terminology. Fertil Steril 92:1520–152
Zhang H, Quan Q, Li X, Sun W, Zhu K, Wang X, Sun X, Zhan M, Xu W, Lu L et al (2020) Occurrence of parabens and their metabolites in the paired urine and blood samples from Chinese university students: Implications on human exposure. Environ Res 183:109288
Zhao H, Zheng Y, Zhu L, Xiang L, Zhou Y, Li J, Fang J, Xu S, Xia W, Cai Z (2020) Paraben exposure related to purine metabolism and other pathways revealed by mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Environ Sci Technol 54:3447–3454
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge DSR for technical and financial support.
Funding
This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant no. (IFPIP:207-130-1443).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
TAK and SSM design the experiments. RM and SSY run the practical section. SSM: data analysis and interpretation. All authors share in write and review manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethical approval
The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The protocol was done according to the ethical guidelines of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki.
Consent to participate
All authors share equally in preparation of this manuscript.
Consent for publication
All authors approve to publish the manuscript
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Lotfi Aleya
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Mosaoa, R.M., Kumosani, T.A., Yaghmoor, S.S. et al. Rhus tripartite methanolic extract alleviates propylparaben-induced reproductive toxicity via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, 5-α reductase in male rats. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 76969–76976 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-27802-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-27802-8