Ayhan İbrahim Aysal

The current study aimed to investigate the dose-dependent effects of Ficus carica leaf extract on oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic processes contributing to ischemia–reperfusion injury in bilateral testes following testicular torsion–detorsion. Forty-eight male Wistar Albino rats were assigned into six groups (n= 8): Intact, Sham, Torsion/Detorsion (T/D), T/D + 125, T/D + 250, and T/D + 500. Sixty minutes of left testicular torsion was followed by 56-day reperfusion in all T/D, T/D + 125, T/D + 250, and T/D + 500 groups, and rats in these groups were daily administered with vehicle, 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg F. carica leaf extract, respectively. Sperm, serum, and bilateral testes tissue samples were examined. Sperm count of the contralateral epididymis and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level in the T/D + 250 group were higher than in the T/D and T/D + 125 groups. FSH level in the T/D + 500 group was higher compared to the T/D, T/D + 125, and T/D + 250 groups. Total Oxidant Status (TOS) level in the ipsilateral testis of the T/D + 500 group was lower than that of the T/D, T/D + 125, and T/D + 250 groups. The Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) value in the ipsilateral testis was lower in the T/D + 500 group compared to the T/D, T/D + 125, and T/D + 250 groups. Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) level in the contralateral testis of the T/D + 125, T/D + 250, and T/D + 500 groups was elevated compared to the T/D group. TOS level of the contralateral testis in the T/D + 500 group was lower than that in the T/D and T/D + 125 groups. OSI value of the contralateral testis was lower in the T/D + 125, T/D + 250, and T/D + 500 groups than that in the T/D group. TNF-α and IL-10 immunostaining intensities were improved in bilateral testes of the treatment groups compared to the T/D group. Johnsen’s score of the ipsilateral testis in the T/D + 250 and T/D + 500 groups was greater compared to the T/D group. BAX and CASP3 immunostaining intensities were lower in the bilateral testes of the treatment groups than in the T/D group. BCL-2 immunostaining intensity in bilateral testes of the T/D + 250 and T/D + 500 groups was higher than in the T/D group. By exerting antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, F. carica leaf extract emerges as a promising therapeutic candidate in testicular ischemia–reperfusion injury. Further studies may help clarify the optimal dosage, potential adverse effects, and fertility outcomes.

Background: Reynoutria japonica Houtt. has been used for inflammatory diseases, skin burns, and high cholesterol in traditional Chinese medicine, and the roots and rhizomes of the plant were registered in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. This study evaluated the enzyme inhibitory activities of R. japonica extracts from Türkiye. Its major phytochemical content was elucidated, molecular interaction studies of the main compounds were conducted, and toxicokinetic predictions and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination studies were performed with in silico methods. Methods: R. japonica extracts were tested for their enzyme inhibitory activities using an ELISA microplate reader. The phytochemical profile was elucidated by LC-MS QTOF. Docking and other in silico studies evaluated interactions of its main components with cholinesterase, collagenase, and elastase. Results: R. japonica exhibited significant cholinesterase inhibitory effectiveness, while the stem and root extracts showed moderate tyrosinase inhibition. R. japonica leaf (IC₅₀ = 117.20 ± 4.84 g/mL) and flower extracts (IC₅₀ = 111.40 ± 1.45 µg/mL) exhibited considerable elastase activity. R. japonica leaf (IC₅₀ = 171.00 ± 6.76 g/mL) and root (IC₅₀ = 160.00 ± 6.81 g/mL) extracts displayed similar and potent collagenase inhibition. In the LC-MS QTOF analysis, procyanidin dimer, catechin, piceid, torachrysone, and its glucoside isomers were identified as the major components and resveratrol as the minor component. Galloylglucose showed the strongest binding at cholinesterase via key hydrogen bonds, while emodin-6-glucoside and emodin formed stable interactions with elastase. Piceid displayed significant polar and water-mediated contacts with collagenase. These findings underscore the potential of these ligands as protein inhibitors. In silico predictions reveal that emodin possessed the most favorable drug-like properties but posed potential interaction risks. Conclusions: This research represents the first investigation of the bioactivity and phytochemistry of R. japonica grown and documented in 2020 in Türkiye. Our findings point out that R. japonica could be used for cosmetic purposes, and further studies on neurological disorders could be performed.