Review of potential spermatogenic and aphrodisiac effects of the Ferula genus / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#Men’s sexual health plays an important role in male fertility and childbearing, as it is associated with factors such as sexual desire, healthy spermatogenesis, and erectile function. In various cultures, medicinal plants have been utilized to address male sexual issues, including infertility and erectile dysfunction. Despite recent advancements in medical science for treating male impotence, some men opt for herbal supplements as an alternative, given that numerous herbs have the potential to enhance male sexual performance. The Apiaceae family is one of the oldest plant families used for medicinal purposes. Ferula, a genus within this family, comprises approximately 170 different species worldwide. Members of this genus possess numerous therapeutic properties due to the presence of various compounds. This article aims to explore the potential impacts of Ferula plants on the male reproductive system. @*Methods@#This review article was prepared by searching for terms including Ferula and “aphrodisiac,” Ferula and “spermatogenesis,” and Ferula and “male reproductive system.” Relevant information was gathered through electronic databases, including ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. @*Results@#The findings indicated that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this area, revealing that certain Ferula species have been employed in folk medicine to boost fertility and libido. Recent research has corroborated these effects. @*Conclusion@#It is hoped that new aphrodisiac compounds with fewer side effects can be isolated from Ferula plants in the future.

Therapeutic effect of Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum resin in rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#Asafoetida is a gum derived from Ferula assa-foetida, which is used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat some reproductive system disorders. The effects of asafoetida on ovarian tissue, expression of certain genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and levels of liver, kidney, and blood cell factors after treatment in a rat model were investigated. @*Methods@#Thirty rats were divided into five groups: normal, polycystic, and treatment with three doses of asafoetida (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg for 3 weeks after PCOS induction). PCOS was induced by letrozole at a dose of 1 mg/kg administered orally for 3 weeks. Blood samples were taken, and the ovaries were removed and prepared for histomorphometric examination. Liver and kidney parameters were measured. The mRNA expression levels of luteinizing hormone receptor, CYP11A1, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, adiponectin, and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 were also measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. @*Results@#The levels of liver, kidney, and blood parameters did not significantly differ between the treatment groups and the control group. At doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, ovarian histopathology, especially the thicknesses of the theca and granulosa layers, was significantly improved relative to the PCOS group. The expression of target genes also improved in the 25 and 50 mg/kg treatment groups. @*Conclusion@#Asafoetida can be used to treat PCOS as a complementary approach to conventional therapies. Asafoetida appears to act by regulating and activating metabolic and ovarian cycle enzymes.

Morphological changes of bovine nasal chondrocytes induced by interleukin-1 alpha

A study of the histological events under interleukin-1 alpha [IL-1alpha] induction of bovine nasal cartilage [BNC] could result in useful data to better understand the mechanisms involved in tissue breakdown in joint diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of IL-1alpha on chondrocyte phenotype and extracellular matrix [ECM] changes in BNC explants. In this experimental study, samples were divided into two groups. Group I [control group] BNC explants were cultured only in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium [DMEM]. In group II, BNC explants were treated with IL-1alpha [10 ng/ml] for 28 days. Then, samples were harvested on culture days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 and chondrocyte morphology and ECM alterations were assessed by invert microscopy and histology by hematoxylin and eosin [H and E] and Alcian blue. Cell viability was evaluated by the lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] assay test. Data were analyzed by the t test and p<0.05 was considered significant. IL-1alpha induced significant morphological changes in cartilage. In the presence of IL-1alpha, most chondrocytes transformed into a fibroblast-like morphology with a granular black point appearance. An increase in the cell: matrix ratio was observed and there were decreased numbers of chondrocytes.IL-1alpha induced breakdown of ECM. We observed partial degradation of ECM between days 7-14 and complete degradation occurred between days 21-28 of culture. The LDH levels increased. IL-1alpha induced morphological changes in chondrocytes and increased destruction of cartilage ECM. There was a parallel correlation between proteoglycan degradation and changes in chondrocyte morpholgy

Protective effects of interleukin-4 on tissue destruction and morphological changes of bovine nasal chondrocytes in vitro

Previous studies have shown that some cytokines have protective effects on cartilage in joint diseases. In the current study, effects of IL-4 against morphological changes and tissue degradation induced by IL-1 Alpha on bovine nasal cartilage [BNC] explants were investigated. Fresh BNC samples were prepared from a slaughterhouse under sterile conditions. BNC explants culture was treated with both IL-l Alpha [10 ng/ml] and IL-4 [50 ng/ml] at the same time for 28 days. The morphological characteristics of explants were assessed by using histology techniques and invert microscopy. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 [MMP-1] production was assessed within different days by using Western blotting. IL-l Alpha induced prominent cartilage morphology degradation. The pro and active form of MMP-1 band substantially increased at day 21 of culture. In the presence of both IL-l Alpha and IL-4, chondrocytes preserved their ordinary normal phenotype with intact extracellular matrix. In addition, a significant reduction in pro-MMP-1and inhibition of active MMP-1 was seen. In conclusion, IL-4 could be regarded as a potential candidate in cartilage protecting against the degradation changes of IL-l Alpha. It seems that the preservation effect of IL-4 is associated with significant reduction of MMP-1

Combination effects of prednisolone and interleukin-4 protect bovine nasal cartilage explants from interleukin-1alpha induced degradation

Current treatments for joint diseases are moderately successful, but unfortunately are associated with significant side effects. This study was undertaken to investigate the combination effects of IL-4 and prednisolone on tissue characteristics and production of matrix metalloproteinase-1[MMP-1] in IL-lalpha-treated bovine nasal cartilage [BNC] explants. BNC explants were cultured in DMEM with IL-lalpha [10 ng/ml], IL-4 [50 ng/ml] and prednisolone [1 or 1,000 nM] at the same time for 28 days. At days 3, 7, 14, 21and 28, the media were collected and replaced with fresh media, and the removed media were stored at -20[degree sign] C. The alterations of tissue characteristics were assessed by using histology techniques. Western-blot method was used to determine the effects of IL-4 and prednisolone combination on MMP-1 production. The cell viability was evaluated by using lactate dehydrogenase assay test. In the presence of IL-lalpha alone, most chondrocytes were transformed into fibroblast-like morphology with pyknotic nuclei at day 28. In addition, a clear band of MMP-1 and extracellular matrix [ECM] degradation were observed. In combination of IL-4 and prednisolone, chondrocytes preserved their ordinary normal features. MMP-1 band formation was completely inhibited and ECM absolutely showed normal characteristics. IL-4 and prednisolone did not show cytotoxicity effects on BNC explant culture. This combination can strongly preserve cartilage from degradation features and the data possibly suggest that the combination of IL-4 and prednisolone could be a candidate for alternative therapy in joint diseases