Several plants have the potential to protect essential reproductive processes such as spermatogenesis or steroidogenesis, however, effective concentrations and main mechanisms of action are still unknown. This in vitro study was aimed to assess the effects of Apium graveolens L., Levisticum officinale, and Calendula officinalis L. extracts on the structural integrity, functional activity and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in mice Leydig cells. TM3 cells were grown in the presence of experimental extracts (37.5; 75; 150 and 300 μg/ml) for 24 h. For the present study, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis was used to quantify flavonoids or phenolic acids. Subsequently, Leydig cell viability was assessed by alamarBlue assay, while the cell membrane integrity was detected by 5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate-acetoxymethyl ester. The level of steroid hormones production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, GJIC was assessed by scalpel loading/dye transfer assay. According to our results, Apium graveolens L. significantly increased the viability and cell membrane integrity at 75 μg/ml (109.0±4.3%) followed by a decline at 300 μg/ml (89.4±2.3%). In case of Levisticum officinale and Calendula officinalis L. was observed significant decrease at 150 μg/ml (88.8±11.66%; 87.4±6.0%) and 300 μg/ml (86.2±9.3%; 84.1±4.6%). Furthermore, Apium graveolens L. significantly increased the progesterone and testosterone production (75 and 150 μg/ml) however, Levisticum officinale and Calendula officinalis L. significantly reduced steroid hormones synthesis at 150 and 300 μg/ml. Finally, the disturbance of GJIC was significantly affected at 300 μg/ml of Levisticum officinale (82.5±7.7%) and Calendula officinalis L. (79.8±7.0%). The balanced concentration ratio may support the Leydig cell function, steroidogenesis as well as all essential parameters that may significantly improve reproductive functions.
- MeSH
- Apium * chemistry MeSH
- Cell Membrane drug effects pathology MeSH
- Cell Line MeSH
- Leydig Cells drug effects metabolism pathology MeSH
- Levisticum * chemistry MeSH
- Calendula * chemistry MeSH
- Gap Junctions drug effects metabolism pathology MeSH
- Cell Communication drug effects MeSH
- Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
- Gonadal Steroid Hormones biosynthesis MeSH
- Plant Extracts isolation & purification pharmacology MeSH
- Cell Survival drug effects MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Zánětlivá onemocnění prostaty jsou nejčastější urologickou diagnózou mužů mladších 50 let, ve vyšších věkových skupinách jsou na třetím místě. Akutní zánět je relativně vzácný, obvyklejší jsou záněty chronické, které přináší mnohem větší diagnostické a léčebné potíže, což, jak prokazují mnohé klinické studie, může být významně ovlivněno skutečností, že původci prostatitidy tvoří biofilmy. Ztížení nebo znemožnění tvorby biofilmu snižuje bojeschopnost patogenů a usnadňuje další terapii, např. zvyšuje účinek antimikrobiální léčby. Synergický účinek s antibiotiky jeví v in vitro studiích mnoho rostlinných silic, pro terapii onemocnění močových cest se velmi účinně jeví rozmarýnová silice.
Inflammatory diseases of the prostate are the most frequent urological diagnosis in men younger than 50 years, ranking as third in older age groups. An acute inflammation is relatively rare, with chronic inflammations being more common and posing much greater diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, which, as has been shown in many clinical trials, can be significantly influenced by the fact that the causative agents of prostatitis form biofilms. Making biofilm formation difficult or impossible reduces the fighting capacity of the pathogens while facilitating further treatment, e.g. increasing the effect of antimicrobial therapy. A synergistic effect with antibiotics has been shown in in-vitro studies for a number of plant essential oils, with rosemary oil having been shown very effective in treating urinary tract infection.
- MeSH
- Biofilms drug effects MeSH
- Centaurium chemistry MeSH
- Chronic Disease MeSH
- Phytotherapy MeSH
- Levisticum chemistry MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Prostatitis * etiology drug therapy prevention & control MeSH
- Plant Extracts chemistry therapeutic use MeSH
- Rosmarinus chemistry MeSH
- Serenoa chemistry MeSH
- Urtica dioica chemistry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
