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Metabolic–endocrine remodelling of the testis under polystyrene nanoplastic exposure: Intervention by organ-specific phytocomplexes of Nelumbo nucifera
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics impair testosterone production and sperm quality in male rats by inducing testicular oxidative stress and disrupting cholesterol and energy metabolism, and showed that extracts from lotus plant organs — especially the rhizome — significantly protected testicular function through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are emerging endocrine-disrupting pollutants that can accumulate systemically and impair male reproduction by inducing oxidative stress, hormonal dysregulation, and disrupted spermatogenesis. Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) is a medicinal aquatic plant rich in polyphenols and flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the protective effects of N. nucifera leaf, flower, and rhizome extracts against PS-NP-induced testicular dysfunction in Rattus norvegicus. Male rats were orally exposed to PS-NPs (200 µg/kg bw) and co-treated with N. nucifera extracts (200 mg/kg bw) for 55 days, quercetin an effective free-radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory, was utilized as a reference. PS-NP exposure resulted in testicular accumulation and pronounced oxidative and inflammatory injury, evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) alongside reduced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT). PS-NPs also perturbed testicular energy metabolism (GLUT1, HK1, PKM, GYS1, GLUT8), suppressed steroidogenic genes (HSD3β, HSD17β), reduced serum luteinizing hormone (LH), and impaired sperm quality. Co-treatment with N. nucifera extracts mitigated these alterations, with the rhizome extract demonstrating the most significant enhancement. This tendency aligned with the rhizome's elevated total phenolic content and ABTS radical-scavenging activity, corresponding with a reduced testicular PS-NP accumulation. Molecular docking further supported mechanistic relevance, showing high predicted affinities of lanosterol and cycloartenol toward SOD, CAT, LH receptor (LHR), and androgen receptors. These findings demonstrate that N. nucifera, especially the rhizome exerts potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endocrine-restorative effects against nanoplastic-induced testicular toxicity, highlighting its potential as a multitarget phytotherapeutic agent.
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NF-κB-Associated Redox Signaling and Intrinsic Apoptotic Activation in Polystyrene Nanoplastic–Induced Testicular Toxicity and Modulatory Effects of Nelumbo nucifera
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Researchers exposed rats to polystyrene nanoplastics for 55 days and found impaired sperm quality, reduced testicular weight, elevated NOX4 and NF-κB signaling, and activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway — with co-administration of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome extract substantially attenuating these reproductive and epigenetic disruptions.
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Researchers found that astilbin, a natural plant compound, significantly reduced testicular damage caused by polystyrene microplastic exposure in rats. The microplastics disrupted hormone levels, sperm quality, and testicular tissue structure, but astilbin treatment counteracted these effects by boosting antioxidant defenses and reducing inflammation. The study suggests that natural antioxidant compounds may offer protective benefits against the reproductive harm associated with microplastic exposure.
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Tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) harmed sperm quality and testosterone levels in mice, but a natural plant compound called Astragalus polysaccharides largely reversed this damage. While this study was done in mice, not humans, it suggests certain plant-based supplements might one day help protect fertility from everyday plastic exposure.
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Researchers studied whether the plant compound rhamnetin could protect against testicular damage caused by polystyrene microplastics in rats. Microplastic exposure caused significant harm to sperm quality, hormone levels, and testicular tissue through oxidative stress and inflammation. Co-treatment with rhamnetin restored many of these markers, suggesting it may help counteract some of the reproductive harm associated with microplastic exposure.
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Researchers investigated whether the plant compound chrysoeriol could protect against testicular damage caused by polyethylene microplastics in a rat model. The study found that microplastic exposure reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased inflammation markers, while co-administration of chrysoeriol showed a protective effect by mitigating oxidative stress and preserving sperm quality.
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