Allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in mice

Abstract This study investigates the protective effects of Allicin (A), a bioactive compound from garlic, and Hesperidin (HSD), a citrus flavonoid, against reproductive damage induced by para-nonylphenol (p-NP), an environmental pollutant, in mice. Fifty 8- to 10-week-old NMRI mice were divided into...

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Main Authors: Golsa Behnejad, Tohid Mohammadi, Ali Soleimanzadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97730-9
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author Golsa Behnejad
Tohid Mohammadi
Ali Soleimanzadeh
author_facet Golsa Behnejad
Tohid Mohammadi
Ali Soleimanzadeh
author_sort Golsa Behnejad
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigates the protective effects of Allicin (A), a bioactive compound from garlic, and Hesperidin (HSD), a citrus flavonoid, against reproductive damage induced by para-nonylphenol (p-NP), an environmental pollutant, in mice. Fifty 8- to 10-week-old NMRI mice were divided into five groups: a control group, a group exposed to p-NP, and three groups treated with p-NP plus either Allicin, Hesperidin, or both. Treatments lasted for 35 days. Researchers analyzed sperm count, viability, motility, DNA damage, and morphology, alongside testicular parenchyma markers like antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Hormone levels (testosterone, LH, and FSH), testicular histopathology, apoptosis-related gene expression, and fertility indices were also evaluated. Results showed that mice treated with Allicin, Hesperidin, or both had reduced abnormal sperm morphology and DNA damage, with improvements in sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity compared to the p-NP group. Antioxidant enzyme activities (TAC, SOD, GPx) and hormone levels increased, while MDA levels decreased, indicating reduced oxidative stress. Furthermore, expression of pro-apoptotic genes Bax and caspase-3 declined, while anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression rose. Treated mice demonstrated higher fertility indices and hormone levels. These findings suggest Allicin and Hesperidin mitigate p-NP-induced testicular damage by enhancing antioxidant defenses and regulating cell death pathways.
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spelling doaj-art-bb7f3c2678cc4b3eaf3391769c5e35a62025-08-20T03:14:10ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-97730-9Allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in miceGolsa Behnejad0Tohid Mohammadi1Ali Soleimanzadeh2Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia UniversityAbstract This study investigates the protective effects of Allicin (A), a bioactive compound from garlic, and Hesperidin (HSD), a citrus flavonoid, against reproductive damage induced by para-nonylphenol (p-NP), an environmental pollutant, in mice. Fifty 8- to 10-week-old NMRI mice were divided into five groups: a control group, a group exposed to p-NP, and three groups treated with p-NP plus either Allicin, Hesperidin, or both. Treatments lasted for 35 days. Researchers analyzed sperm count, viability, motility, DNA damage, and morphology, alongside testicular parenchyma markers like antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Hormone levels (testosterone, LH, and FSH), testicular histopathology, apoptosis-related gene expression, and fertility indices were also evaluated. Results showed that mice treated with Allicin, Hesperidin, or both had reduced abnormal sperm morphology and DNA damage, with improvements in sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity compared to the p-NP group. Antioxidant enzyme activities (TAC, SOD, GPx) and hormone levels increased, while MDA levels decreased, indicating reduced oxidative stress. Furthermore, expression of pro-apoptotic genes Bax and caspase-3 declined, while anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression rose. Treated mice demonstrated higher fertility indices and hormone levels. These findings suggest Allicin and Hesperidin mitigate p-NP-induced testicular damage by enhancing antioxidant defenses and regulating cell death pathways.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97730-9Environmental toxicologyReproductive healthOxidative stressApoptosisFertility
spellingShingle Golsa Behnejad
Tohid Mohammadi
Ali Soleimanzadeh
Allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in mice
Scientific Reports
Environmental toxicology
Reproductive health
Oxidative stress
Apoptosis
Fertility
title Allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in mice
title_full Allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in mice
title_fullStr Allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in mice
title_full_unstemmed Allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in mice
title_short Allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in mice
title_sort allicin and hesperidin protect sperm production from environmental toxins in mice
topic Environmental toxicology
Reproductive health
Oxidative stress
Apoptosis
Fertility
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97730-9
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