Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Curcumin Attenuates Zearalenone-Induced Reproductive Damage in Mice by Modulating the Gut Microbe–Testis Axis

Researchers investigated whether curcumin, a compound from turmeric, could protect mice from reproductive damage caused by the food-contaminating toxin zearalenone. They found that curcumin improved sperm quality and testicular health by restoring beneficial gut bacteria and reducing inflammation through the gut-testis connection. The study suggests that gut microbiome modulation could be a pathway for protecting reproductive health from environmental toxins.

2025 Foods 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Mitigative potential of kaempferide against polyethylene microplastics induced testicular damage by activating Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway

Researchers tested whether kaempferide, a natural plant compound with antioxidant properties, could protect against testicular damage caused by polyethylene microplastics in rats. They found that the microplastics triggered significant oxidative stress and tissue damage in the testes, but kaempferide treatment substantially reduced these harmful effects by activating a key protective cellular pathway. The study suggests that natural antioxidant compounds may help counteract some of the reproductive harm associated with microplastic exposure.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 23 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Curcumin Mitigates Microplastic-Induced Damage in Livestock and Poultry: Mechanistic Insights and Strategies for Sustainable Farming

This review examines how curcumin, a natural compound from turmeric, can protect livestock and poultry from microplastic-induced damage. The research shows that curcumin activates antioxidant defenses and reduces inflammation caused by microplastic exposure in animals, suggesting that natural dietary supplements may offer a strategy for mitigating some health effects of plastic contamination.

2025 Veterinary Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Pharmacotherapeutic potential of ginkgetin against polystyrene microplastics–instigated testicular toxicity in rats: A biochemical, spermatological, and histopathological assessment

In a rat study, polystyrene microplastics caused significant damage to the testes, including reduced sperm quality, oxidative stress, and tissue inflammation, but the natural plant compound ginkgetin was able to partially reverse this damage. Ginkgetin worked by boosting antioxidant defenses and reducing the inflammatory response triggered by the microplastics. This suggests that natural antioxidant compounds might help protect male reproductive health from the harmful effects of microplastic exposure.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of possible attenuative role of chrysoeriol against polyethylene microplastics instigated testicular damage: A biochemical, spermatogenic and histological study

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.

2023 Food and Chemical Toxicology 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Epigallocatechin-gallate ameliorates polystyrene microplastics-induced oxido-inflammation and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in testicular cells via modulation of Nrf2/HO-1, /mTOR/Atg-7, and Cx-43/NOX-1 levels

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics caused oxidative stress, inflammation, and reduced sperm quality in rats, but that treatment with EGCG — a compound found in green tea — reversed most of these harmful effects by restoring antioxidant defenses and reducing cell death pathways in testicular tissue.

2024 European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Reports 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Protective effect of curcumin against microplastic and nanoplastics toxicity

Researchers reviewed studies examining whether curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, can protect against the toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics in the body. Evidence indicates that curcumin helped reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and organ damage caused by plastic particle exposure across multiple organ systems in animal studies. The review suggests that natural antioxidant compounds like curcumin may hold promise for mitigating some of the harmful effects of plastic pollution on health.

2024 International Journal of Environmental Health Research 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Attenuative effect of astilbin on polystyrene microplastics induced testicular damage: Biochemical, spermatological and histopathological-based evidences

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.

2023 Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induce apoptosis in chicken testis via crosstalk between NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics caused testicular damage in chickens through crosstalk between inflammatory and antioxidant defense pathways. Exposure to microplastics through drinking water disrupted the blood-testis barrier, triggered oxidative stress by inhibiting the Nrf2 pathway, activated inflammatory signaling through NF-kB, and ultimately induced cell death in testicular tissue.

2022 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Rhamnetin alleviates polystyrene microplastics-induced testicular damage by restoring biochemical, steroidogenic, hormonal, apoptotic, inflammatory, spermatogenic and histological profile in male albino rats

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.

2023 Human & Experimental Toxicology 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Metabolic–endocrine remodelling of the testis under polystyrene nanoplastic exposure: Intervention by organ-specific phytocomplexes of Nelumbo nucifera

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.

2026 Reproductive Biology
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nanoplastics in human male reproduction: Immune disruption, blood–testis barrier, and clinic-ready biomarkers

This review synthesizes evidence that micro- and nanoplastics have been detected in human testes and semen, with experimental models showing they trigger oxidative stress, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and disruption of blood-testis barrier tight-junction proteins, collectively impairing sperm production and quality.

2025 Reproductive Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Probiotics improve polystyrene microplastics-induced male reproductive toxicity in mice by alleviating inflammatory response

Researchers found that giving mice probiotics (beneficial bacteria including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) helped protect against reproductive damage caused by polystyrene microplastics. The microplastics disrupted gut bacteria and triggered inflammation that traveled to the testes via the gut-testis connection, reducing sperm quality and testosterone levels. Probiotic treatment restored healthy gut bacteria and reduced the inflammatory response, suggesting that maintaining gut health could help counteract some reproductive harm from microplastic exposure.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 65 citations
Article Tier 2

Transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal functional nanoplastics-induced male reproductive damage and resveratrol antagonistic effects

Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics can seriously damage male fertility in mice by harming sperm production and causing inflammation in the testicles. The good news is that resveratrol, a natural compound found in red grapes and wine, was able to protect against much of this damage. This research matters because nanoplastics are everywhere in our environment and food supply, and this study suggests they could be affecting human male fertility too.

2026 Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Article Tier 2

Lycopene supplement mitigates polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs)-induced reproductive alteration in rats via modulation of steroidogenic enzymes, inhibition of apoptosis and oxido-inflammatory reaction

Researchers found that lycopene, a natural antioxidant found in tomatoes, helped protect male rats from reproductive damage caused by polystyrene microplastic exposure. The microplastics disrupted hormone levels and sperm quality, but lycopene supplementation reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in reproductive tissues. The study suggests that dietary antioxidants may help counteract some of the harmful reproductive effects associated with microplastic exposure.

2024 Kuwait Journal of Science 8 citations
Article Tier 2

The crosstalk between M1 macrophage polarization and energy metabolism disorder contributes to polystyrene nanoplastics-triggered testicular inflammation

Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics cause testicular inflammation in mice by studying the interplay between immune cell behavior and energy metabolism. They found that nanoplastics triggered a pro-inflammatory immune response involving M1 macrophage activation, disrupted cellular energy processes, and caused testicular tissue damage. The study reveals a specific biological mechanism by which nanoplastic exposure may impair male reproductive health.

2023 Food and Chemical Toxicology 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxic effect of polyethylene microplastic on testicles and ameliorative effect of luteolin in adult rats: Environmental challenge

Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics caused significant testicular toxicity in adult rats including reduced sperm quality and testosterone levels, while luteolin treatment ameliorated these effects through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

2022 Journal of King Saud University - Science 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Juglanin cures polyethylene microplastics-induced testicular damage in rats

Researchers administered juglanin to rats exposed to polyethylene microplastics and found that the natural flavonoid compound protected against microplastic-induced testicular damage by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

2024 Journal of King Saud University - Science 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and impaired male reproductive health—exploring biological pathways of harm: a narrative review

This narrative review summarizes the evidence that microplastics may harm male reproductive health through oxidative stress, hormone disruption, inflammation, and direct damage to reproductive cells. While animal studies show concerning effects on sperm quality, testicular function, and fertility, human studies are still lacking. The review calls for urgent research on microplastic impacts on human male fertility and for policies to reduce microplastic exposure.

2025 Biology of Reproduction 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Protective effect of Cordycepin on blood-testis barrier against pre-puberty polystyrene nanoplastics exposure in male rats

Young male rats exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics during a critical growth period developed lasting damage to their reproductive system, including lower sperm quality and weakened barriers protecting developing sperm cells. A natural compound called cordycepin partially reversed this damage by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting possible protective strategies against reproductive harm from plastic pollution.

2024 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induce blood–testis barrier disruption regulated by the MAPK-Nrf2 signaling pathway in rats

Researchers fed rats polystyrene microplastics for 90 days and found significant damage to male reproductive health, including reduced sperm quality, damaged sperm-producing tissue, and increased cell death. The study identified a specific molecular pathway where microplastics triggered oxidative stress that disrupted the blood-testis barrier, a critical protective structure in the testes. These findings provide new evidence that microplastic exposure may pose risks to male reproductive function.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 173 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastics and male reproductive system: A comprehensive review based on cellular and molecular effects

This comprehensive review examines how microplastics affect the male reproductive system at cellular and molecular levels, drawing on studies from multiple scientific databases. Researchers found that microplastics can damage testicular structure and function, impair spermatogenesis, and disrupt sperm parameters through mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and activation of cell death pathways. The review highlights that microplastics reduce ATP production and trigger signaling cascades that may contribute to male fertility problems.

2026 Toxicology Reports
Article Tier 2

The simultaneous administration of microplastics and cadmium alters rat testicular activity and changes the expression of PTMA, DAAM1 and PREP

Researchers examined the combined effects of microplastics and cadmium on testicular function in rats. The study found that simultaneous exposure caused testicular damage including impaired tissue structure, increased cell death, reduced testosterone, and altered expression of proteins involved in sperm cell development. The study suggests that microplastics may partially reduce cadmium bioavailability through adsorption, resulting in combined effects that were more severe than microplastics alone but less harmful than cadmium alone.

2023 Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Repair mechanism of Yishen Tongluo formula on mouse sperm DNA fragmentation caused by polystyrene microplastics

This study investigated a traditional Chinese medicine formula (Yishen Tongluo) for its potential to repair sperm DNA damage caused by polystyrene microplastics. Researchers found that the formula's protective mechanism may be associated with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and the protein SPARC. The study suggests a new direction for using traditional medicine approaches to address reproductive system injury linked to microplastic exposure.

2023 Pharmaceutical Biology 20 citations