Premium
Modulation of Redox/Nitric Oxide Signaling by Lamiaceae Herbs in Seminal Vesicles of Lumbricus terrestris
Author(s) -
DeLeon Robert Corey,
Lester Christen,
Maitin Vatsala,
Vattem Dhiraj
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.541.8
Subject(s) - nitric oxide , superoxide dismutase , glutathione , glutathione peroxidase , chemistry , antioxidant , biochemistry , catalase , oxidative stress , pharmacology , biology , enzyme , organic chemistry
Health benefits of Lamiaceae herbs are attributed to the presence of antioxidant phytochemicals. However, their in vivo mechanism of action is not well understood. We determined the effect of dietary Lamiaceae herbs on modulating redox/nitric oxide (NO) signaling and sperm quality in oxidation prone environment of seminal vesicles. Animals fed ad libitum on Lumbricus growth medium supplemented with 0% (control), 0.1% or 0.5% (w/v) of different herbs. The seminal vesicles from the animal were dissected out on day 2 and day 6, and gently disrupted. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), DNA fragmentation (DNAF), glutathione (GSH), nitrates/nitrites (NOx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determines using standard assays. Sperm maturity and deformation (DFO) was quantified microscopically. Transcriptional changes relevant to redox/NO signaling were quantified using Real time qPCR. Overall, the herb treatments decreased MDA levels by 60–90%, increased SOD activity (15–50%) and NOx (6–15%) and decreased DNAF (6–11%) and DFO (20–50%). Treatments with basil and oregano at 0.1 % (w/v) were most effective. Preliminary data analysis suggests modulation of redox response via protein kinase C, ARE‐Nrf2 and AP‐2 mediated expression of SOD, glutathione peroxidase and Nitric oxide synthase. Funding source: Texas State University.