Protective role of Aloe vera against X-ray induced testicular dysfunction.
The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the possible radioprotective potential of an Aloe vera extract against whole-body X-ray irradiation-induced testicular alterations in mice. Male balb/c mice were divided into four groups: control, A. vera, X-ray and A. vera pre-treated + X-ray irradiated. Histopathological examination revealed significant structural alterations in testes after X-ray exposure, which was also associated with the presence of apoptotic cells as assessed by TUNEL assay. X-ray irradiation resulted in elevation in the levels of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, a reduction in glutathione concentration and enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase. Sperm count/motility and testosterone levels were significantly decreased in the irradiated group. Irradiated animals pre-treated with A. vera extract revealed an improvement in antioxidant status, inhibition of lipid peroxides, apoptotic cell formation and enhanced testicular parameters when compared to the X-ray-exposed group. These findings suggest that A. vera extract could ameliorate X-ray-induced damage due to its free radical scavenging properties and its potential to boost cellular antioxidant defence machinery.
Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
S
S
Bala
Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
N A
NA
Chugh
Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
S C
SC
Bansal
Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
M L
ML
Garg
Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
A
A
Koul
D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000528:radiation effects; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013739:Testosterone; D005978:Glutathione

Aloe vera
; 
LDH
; 
LPO
; X-ray; antioxidant enzymes; apoptosis