[6]-Gingerol modulates spermatotoxicity associated with ulcerative colitis and benzo[a]pyrene exposure in BALB/c mice

Abstract

Background: The deterioration of male reproductive health may represent an outcome of an active disease and environmental factors. The present study investigated the modulatory role of [6]-gingerol in spermatotoxicity resulting from colitis and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), an environmental and food-borne pollutant.

Methods: Group I (control) mice received corn oil alone, while group II ([6]-gingerol alone) mice orally received [6]-gingerol alone at 100 mg/kg body weight. Group III [benzo[a]pyrene+dextran sulfate sodium (BDS) alone] mice were orally exposed to B[a]P at 125 mg/kg for 7 days followed by three cycles of 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water. A cycle consisted of seven consecutive days of exposure to DSS-treated water followed by 14 consecutive days of normal drinking water. Group IV (BDS+[6]-gingerol) mice were orally treated daily with 100 mg/kg of [6]-gingerol during exposure to B[a]P and DSS in the same manner as those of group III.

Results: [6]-Gingerol significantly abrogated BDS-mediated increase in disease activity index and restored the colon wet weight, colon length and colon mass index to near normal when compared to BDS alone group. Moreover, [6]-gingerol significantly prevented BDS-induced decreases in the daily sperm production (DSP), testicular sperm number (TSN), epididymal sperm number, sperm progressive motility and sperm membrane integrity when compared with the control. [6]-Gingerol markedly increased the sperm antioxidant enzymes activities and decreased the sperm head, mid-piece and tail abnormalities as well as suppressed oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in BDS-exposed mice.

Conclusions: [6]-Gingerol protected against spermatotoxicity in experimental model of interaction of colitis with environmental pollutant B[a]P.

Keywords: [6]-gingerol; benzo[a]pyrene; colitis; mice; oxidative stress; spermatotoxicity.