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The inductive effects of Centella asiatica on rat spermatogenic cell apoptosis in vivo

Journal of Natural Medicines volume 66, pages 271–278 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban has been traditionally used for the treatment of various disease and as a food for thousands of years in various parts of the world including eastern Asia, China and India. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of Centella asiatica aqueous leaf extract on the induction of spermatogenic cell apoptosis in male rats. After lethal dose (LD50) assessment of plant extract, rats were divided in five groups. The experimental groups received orally 10, 50, 80 and 100 mg/kg aqueous leaf extract daily for 60 days and the control group received just water. After 60 days, body and testis weight were measured and blood samples were taken from the heart. To evaluate apoptosis and histological changes, tissue samples obtained from rat testes were stained by TUNEL assay and hematoxylin and eosin stain. Results showed that the sperm count, motility, and viability and the number of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules were significantly decreased compared with the control group. The number of apoptotic germ cells per seminiferous tubule cross-section was significantly increased in the experimental group (18.11 ± 3.5) compared with the control group (8.7 ± 0.81) (P < 0.05). Serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels also showed significant decreases in the experimental groups (P < 0.05). There was also a significant decrease in testis weight in experimental groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). It is concluded that Centella asiatica has toxicological effects on the reproductive system in male rats and, therefore, it is suggested that leaf extracts of Centella asiatica possess antifertility effects in the male rat.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by grant No. 775-11 from the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Iran. The authors had no conflict of interest in doing the research. The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr M. Ghazi Khansari from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Dr M. Ghaffari Novin from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences for their technical help. Thanks are also due to Dr S.M. Rezayat from Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Dr A.H. Jamshidi from Department of Food and Drug, Ministry of Health and Medical Education for the generous extract supply, and too Dr H. Zeraati for his assistance in the statistical analysis. We are very grateful for Mr K. Saliminejad helping in the Art Works.

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Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ARI), ACECR, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box 19615-1177, Evin, Tehran, Iran

    Mahnaz Heidari, Hamed Heidari-Vala & Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi

  2. Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ARI), ACECR, Tehran, Iran

    Mahnaz Heidari

  3. Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ARI), ACECR, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Sadeghi

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  1. Mahnaz Heidari
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  2. Hamed Heidari-Vala
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  3. Mohammad Reza Sadeghi
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Heidari, M., Heidari-Vala, H., Sadeghi, M.R. et al. The inductive effects of Centella asiatica on rat spermatogenic cell apoptosis in vivo. J Nat Med 66, 271–278 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-011-0578-y

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Keywords

  • Centella asiatica
  • Apoptosis
  • Spermatogenic
  • Rat
  • Testosterone