Journal of Endocrinology and Reproduction

Jamil Aisha ¹, Anandha Rao Ravula ¹, Marri Reddy Mounika ¹, Patra Priyadarshini Priyanka ¹, Kumari Sangeeta ¹, Munipalli Suresh Babu ¹, Suresh Yenugu ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad − 500046, IN

Abstract

Emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage and rattles the entire world causing multifaceted hardships. Though initially thought to be a disease that primarily affects the lungs, latest evidence suggests its possible Long-term effects on multiple organ systems. SARS-Cov-2, the virus responsible for this disease infects the cells through ACE2 receptor and the serine protease TMPRSS2. In light of the fact that ACE2 expression is very high in the testis and the expression of TMPRSS2 in other reproductive organs, there has been growing interest to determine the effect of SARS-Cov-2 infection on the male reproductive system, especially on fertility. Through bioinformatics analyses, in vitro and cohort studies, the effects on SARS-Cov-2 infection at the molecular to physiological levels are proposed. Perturbations in hormonal levels, damage to the anatomical structure and inflammation in reproductive organs, decline in sperm count and sperm function have been reported. Thus, the significance of COVID-19 on global reproductive health has gained importance. In this article, we summarize the reported facts related to SARS-Cov-2 infectivity on male reproductive system. Such a comprehensive summation herein will help the researchers to have an up to date knowledge in this area of research and to coronavirus newer studies to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on male reproduction, especially fertility.

Keywords

COVID-19, Fertility, Male Reproductive System, SARS-Cov-2

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Jyothi Chaitanya Pagadala ¹, Suresh Yenugu ², Padmaja Gudipalli ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad − 500046, Telangana, IN
2 Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad − 500046, Telangana, IN
3 Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad − 500046, Telangana, IN

Abstract

The ever-increasing use of plant-based pharmaceuticals as alternatives to conventional drugs for disease management demands identification, isolation, and characterization of novel compounds. Despite the potential of plant extracts to mitigate the morbidity of diseases, several active principles are preferred to avoid the interference of other compounds. The promising health benefits of the extracts and isolated compounds of Pterocarpus santalinus in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and infections have been described. However, such studies on the active principle, namely, santalins, are not reported. In this study, we standardized the isolation of a mixture of santalins A and B from the heartwood of P. santalinus by column chromatography followed by preparative TLC and HPLC. The partially purified santalins were characterized by LC-MS, HR-MS, and ¹H NMR analyses. The isolated combination of santalins displayed higher total antioxidant and DPPH free radical scavenging activity in vitro than the crude heartwood extracts. Administration of the mixture of santalins A and B did not exhibit any antihyperglycemic activity in the liver, kidney, and pancreas of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. However, pretreatment of rats with a mixture of santalins at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg body weight prevented alloxan-induced diabetes as indicated by the normal blood glucose levels. Hyperglycemia-associated lipid peroxidation was abrogated in santalin-pretreated rats that did not develop alloxan-induced diabetes. Furthermore, the alterations in catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase activities in the pancreas of santalinpretreated rats could be responsible for preventing damage to the pancreas and thus non-induction of diabetes following alloxan treatment. Therefore, for the first time, we report the simplified procedure for isolating a mixture of santalins, including their ability to prevent the induction of diabetes in Wistar rats. The outcome of our study has significant clinical importance to the fact that supplementation of santalins may potentially avoid or delay the onset of diabetes in high-risk individuals.

Keywords

Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Oxidative Stress, Red Sanders, Santalins.

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