Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats

Background and aim: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Lotus) seeds have been traditionally used to treat hypertension and are reported to have antioxidant effects. The role of lotus seeds in reproductive dysfunction associated with hypertension has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate...

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Main Authors: Anjaree Inchan, Krongkarn Chootip, Kitiya Kongthong, Tippaporn Bualeong, Wiriyaporn Sumsakul, Phapada Apaikawee, Pakaporn Sa-Nguanpong, Sinlapachai Senarat, Jutamas Wongphoom, Natthawut Charoenphon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411024000579
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author Anjaree Inchan
Krongkarn Chootip
Kitiya Kongthong
Tippaporn Bualeong
Wiriyaporn Sumsakul
Phapada Apaikawee
Pakaporn Sa-Nguanpong
Sinlapachai Senarat
Jutamas Wongphoom
Natthawut Charoenphon
author_facet Anjaree Inchan
Krongkarn Chootip
Kitiya Kongthong
Tippaporn Bualeong
Wiriyaporn Sumsakul
Phapada Apaikawee
Pakaporn Sa-Nguanpong
Sinlapachai Senarat
Jutamas Wongphoom
Natthawut Charoenphon
author_sort Anjaree Inchan
collection DOAJ
description Background and aim: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Lotus) seeds have been traditionally used to treat hypertension and are reported to have antioxidant effects. The role of lotus seeds in reproductive dysfunction associated with hypertension has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate lotus seed extract (LSE) on reproductive functions in Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME) induced hypertension and oxidative stress in rats. Experimental procedure: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were allocated into six groups: i) normotensive rats, ii) rats treated with l-NAME (40 mg/kg), iii-vi) rats treated with l-NAME + either 10, 100, 300 mg/kg LSE or 5 mg/kg captopril for 5 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), sperm concentrations, viability and motility and the serum testosterone were measured. The morphology, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated in testis and epididymis. Results and conclusion: l-NAME-treated rats exhibited high SBP (181.9 ± 6.5 mmHg, P < 0.01) and reduced SOD activities in comparison to the normal group. These were significantly improved by the administration of 10, 100, 300 mg/kg LSE or captopril (P < 0.05). l-NAME also led to a significant increase in MDA, and reductions in sperm count, viability and motility, testosterone levels, as well as the diameter and epithelial thickness of the seminiferous tubules. Treatment with 10 mg/kg LSE or captopril significantly attenuated these effects (P < 0.05), whereas 100 and 300 mg/kg LSE showed no significant differences compared to the l-NAME group. Thus, our study demonstrates that a low dose of LSE has therapeutic potential in alleviating reproductive dysfunction associated with hypertension.
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spelling doaj-art-afeb7ec41c15481e95cefbd0971f864e2025-08-20T02:35:19ZengElsevierJournal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine2225-41102025-07-0115440441310.1016/j.jtcme.2024.05.001Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male ratsAnjaree Inchan0Krongkarn Chootip1Kitiya Kongthong2Tippaporn Bualeong3Wiriyaporn Sumsakul4Phapada Apaikawee5Pakaporn Sa-Nguanpong6Sinlapachai Senarat7Jutamas Wongphoom8Natthawut Charoenphon9Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandFaculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandExpert Center of Innovative Herbal Products, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, Khlong Ha, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, ThailandDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, ThailandDivision of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, ThailandDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, ThailandDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand; Corresponding author.Background and aim: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Lotus) seeds have been traditionally used to treat hypertension and are reported to have antioxidant effects. The role of lotus seeds in reproductive dysfunction associated with hypertension has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate lotus seed extract (LSE) on reproductive functions in Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME) induced hypertension and oxidative stress in rats. Experimental procedure: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were allocated into six groups: i) normotensive rats, ii) rats treated with l-NAME (40 mg/kg), iii-vi) rats treated with l-NAME + either 10, 100, 300 mg/kg LSE or 5 mg/kg captopril for 5 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), sperm concentrations, viability and motility and the serum testosterone were measured. The morphology, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated in testis and epididymis. Results and conclusion: l-NAME-treated rats exhibited high SBP (181.9 ± 6.5 mmHg, P < 0.01) and reduced SOD activities in comparison to the normal group. These were significantly improved by the administration of 10, 100, 300 mg/kg LSE or captopril (P < 0.05). l-NAME also led to a significant increase in MDA, and reductions in sperm count, viability and motility, testosterone levels, as well as the diameter and epithelial thickness of the seminiferous tubules. Treatment with 10 mg/kg LSE or captopril significantly attenuated these effects (P < 0.05), whereas 100 and 300 mg/kg LSE showed no significant differences compared to the l-NAME group. Thus, our study demonstrates that a low dose of LSE has therapeutic potential in alleviating reproductive dysfunction associated with hypertension.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411024000579Herbal medicinesHypertensionGallic acidTestisTestosterone
spellingShingle Anjaree Inchan
Krongkarn Chootip
Kitiya Kongthong
Tippaporn Bualeong
Wiriyaporn Sumsakul
Phapada Apaikawee
Pakaporn Sa-Nguanpong
Sinlapachai Senarat
Jutamas Wongphoom
Natthawut Charoenphon
Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats
Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine
Herbal medicines
Hypertension
Gallic acid
Testis
Testosterone
title Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats
title_full Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats
title_fullStr Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats
title_full_unstemmed Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats
title_short Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l-NAME-induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats
title_sort lotus seed nelumbo nucifera gaertn extract at low dose ameliorates reproductive dysfunction in l name induced hypertension and oxidative stress in male rats
topic Herbal medicines
Hypertension
Gallic acid
Testis
Testosterone
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411024000579
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