Work

Urtica dioica L. Alleviates Bisphenol A-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats via Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: L. (UD) on bisphenol A (BPA)-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Forty-eight male rats were divided into six groups: control, BPA (50 mg/kg), UD100 (100 mg/kg), UD200 (200 mg/kg), BPA + UD100, and BPA + UD200. UD ameliorated the BPA-induced reductions in sperm concentration and motility, membrane integrity and decreased increments in abnormalities of sperm. The results showed that BPA exposure significantly decreased testosterone levels, and moreover, co-administration of UD appeared to enhance this effect. Treatment with UD alleviated BPA-induced testicular apoptosis by attenuation of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels by increasing Bcl-2 level. Moreover, it was significantly reduced inflammation by decreasing the expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in the testis tissue compared to the BPA group. It was also determined that BPA-induced histopathological damage was significantly mitigated by UD co-administration. In the BPA group, CAT, SOD, and GPx levels decreased compared with those of the control group. However, co-administration of UD showed an ameliorative effect on the other antioxidant enzymes except for SOD. These findings revealed that UD can be used as a potential and effective agent to ameliorate BPA-induced testicular toxicity due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties.

Source: Veterinary Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/vetsci13080840

Authors: Seydi Ahmet Şengül, Gülsüm Pektanç Şengül, Fırat Aşır, Nurdan Coşkun, Irmak İçen Taşkın, Oğuz Kaan Yalçın

Institutions: Mustafa Kemal University, Dicle University, Inonu University

Language: English

Topic: Sperm and Testicular Function

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,534