Chenopodium album seed extract-induced sperm cell death: exploration of a plausible pathway.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted for to explore the plausible pathway of Chenopodium album seed extract (CAE)-mediated sperm cell death.


METHODS
The role of CAE for its spermicidal action was assessed by (a) measuring lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and intracellular glutathione content in CAE exposed sperm cells; (b) assaying antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD); (c) analyzing protein expressions by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis; (d) fluorimetric measurement of intracellular H(2)O(2) level and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CAE-treated sperm cells; and (e) DNA ladder formation study.


RESULTS
CAE-induced sperm death is due to (a) lipid peroxidation of the sperm cell membrane, oxidation of some critical cellular proteins and depletion of intracellular reduced gluthathione, indicating production of ROS; (b) activation of Mn-SOD and inactivation of catalase favoring endogenous accumulation of H(2)O(2); (c) generation of O(2)(*-) at an enhanced rate during oxidative stress as evidenced by increased Mn-SOD activity and protein expression; (d) accumulation of ROS in spermatozoa reflected in the fluorimetric experiments; and (e) increased production of O(2)(*-) and H(2)O(2) induced apoptosis-like death in sperm cells as observed by DNA ladder formation.


CONCLUSIONS
The sperm death mediated by CAE is due to oxidative damage of cellular macromolecules by in situ generation of ROS.
Kumar
Shrabanti
S
Steroid and Terpenoid Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032, India.
Chatterjee
Ratna
R
Dolai
Subhankar
S
Adak
Subrata
S
Kabir
Syed N
SN
Banerjee
Sukdeb
S
Mondal
Nirup B
NB
D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death; D027463:Chenopodium album; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012639:Seeds; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D000099156:Superoxide Dismutase 2
D002374:Catalase; D005978:Glutathione; D010544:Peroxidases; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000099156:Superoxide Dismutase 2