Cyclophosphamide-induced testicular toxicity ameliorate by American ginseng treatment: an experimental study

Background: cyclophosphamide [CP] is one of the most invasive chemotherapeutic agents, which used commonly despite of its wide spectrum toxicity. Clinical evidence showed toxic side effects of CP in multiple organ systems

Objective: the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of American ginseng on CP-induced testicular toxicity in rats

Materials and Methods: adult male Wistar rats [220 +/- 30 gr] were randomly divided into four groups [n=7 in each]. Group 1 as control received normal saline by gavage, group 2 received CP [6.1 mg/kg/day, i.p.] for a period of 50 days. Group 3 received American ginseng [500 mg/kg/day] by gavage. Group 4 received American ginseng [500 mg/kg/day] 1h prior to the administration of CP in the equal dose of group 2. The animals scarified one day after the last treatment and the effects of American ginseng on the sperm vital parameters, testicular functions, biochemical factors, and structural malformations evaluated

Results: serum testosterone concentration was significantly decreased whereas the level of malondialdehyde and DNA damage were significantly increased in animals of CP group [p<0.01]. Co-administration of American ginseng reversed these parameters and improved recovery in CP+ginseng group. In addition, seminiferous tubules of testis severely damaged in the CP group but ginseng improved histologic changes in CP+ginseng group

Conclusion: the findings confirmed the protective effects of American ginseng on toxicity induced by CP in the reproductive system of male rats

[Effects of synbiotic gaz consumption on lipid profile in pregnant women: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial]

Background and Objectives: Although several attempts have been made to decrease lipid profile through consumption of probiotic-containing products among pregnant women, limited data are available assessing the effects of synbiotic foods. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of a synbiotic Gaz on blood lipid profile and biomarkers of oxidative stress including plasma total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and total glutathione [GSH] in pregnant women

Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was performed on 52 primigravida pregnant women, aged 18-35 year old at their third trimester. After a 2 week run-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to consume either a synbiotic [n=26] or control food [n=26] for 9 weeks. The synbiotic Gaz consisted of a probiotic viable and heat-resistant Lactobacillus sporogenes [1×107 CFU] and 0.04 g inulin /g as the prebiotic. Patients were asked to consume the synbiotic and control Gaz twice a day. Biochemical measurements including blood lipid profile, plasma total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and total glutathione [GSH] were conducted before and after 9 weeks of intervention

Results: Consumption of synbiotic Gaz for 9 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in serum TAG [P=0.04], VLDL [P=0.04] and a significant rise in plasma GSH levels [P=0.004] compared to the control Gaz. No significant effect of the synbiotic Gaz consumption on serum TC, LDL, HDL or plasma TAC levels were observed

Conclusion: Consumption of synbiotic Gaz for 9 weeks resulted in decreased serum triglycerides, VLDLcholesterol and increased plasma total GSH levels compared with the control Gaz among pregnant women

Beneficial effects of American ginseng on epididymal sperm analyses in cyclophosphamide treated rats

This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of American ginseng administered by gastric intubation on sperm vital quality in adult male rats treated with cyclophosphamide [CP]. In this experimental study, 28 Adult male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups, seven rats in each. The animals allocated to control, CP treated, Ginseng treated and CP-Ginseng treated groups. Rats were treated with CP [6.1 mg/kg/day, i.p] for 6 weeks. American ginseng was used at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day during treatment. Sperm analysis [motion, count, morphology and viability] were evaluated at the end of the experiments. Sperm motion was assessed by Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis [CASA]. The data were analyzed using GB stat software. Probability values of p<0.05 and p<0.01 were considered significant. The epididymal sperm counts in the groups that received CP showed significant decreases compared to the control group. Also dead and abnormal sperms significantly increased following CP treatment compared with control. The motility of caudal sperm was reduced significantly with CP treatment. Therefore, according to the results of this study, co-administration of CP and American ginseng can improve these parameters. American ginseng can prevent the cytotoxic effects of CP on sperm quality factors

[Effects of vitamin E and ginseng extract on fertility changes induced by cyclophosphamide in rats]

Cyclophosphamide [CP] is a mustard alkylating agent used in the treatment of some neoplastic diseases such as leukemia, breast and pulmonary cancers. CP administration induces oxidative stress and has cytotoxic effects on normal cells, especially in the reproductive organs. A major side-effect of CP is the alteration of male reproductive function which may result in oligospermia or azoospermia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin E and ginseng extract on the reproductive system of male rats during cyclophosphamide administration. Fifty-six adult male Wistar rats [220 +/- 30 g] were randomly divided into seven groups of eight. To eliminate the stress induced by gavage, the animals in the first group were considered as the control group and only received water and food. The second group received the placebo for CP via gavage. The third group received CP, 6.1 mg/kg/day, through intraperitoneal administration. The fourth and fifth groups, respectively, received Ginseng, 500 mg/kg/day, and vitamin E 100 mg/kg/day via gavage. The eighth group received both antioxidants by intubation 1 h prior to CP administration for 50 days. The animals were sacrificed one day after the last injection. The testes, body weight, sperm parameters and fertility status of animals were evaluated at the end of the experiments. For the evaluation of fertility index, the male rats were mated with untreated female rats on the 40[th] day of the treatment period. Cyclophosphamide decreased sperm count, lowered fertility rate and decreased testis weight while it increased the number of dead and abnormal sperms [p < 0.01]. In addition, the number of pregnant animals and viable offspring were reduced too; while antioxidant use diminished the adverse effects of CP. The results of the study showed that antioxidative agents vitamin E and Ginseng could diminish the adverse effects of cyclophosphamide in the reproductive system of male rats during cyclophosphamide administration