Astragaloside IV ameliorates atrazine-induced male reproductive toxicity: an

Introduction: Atrazine (ATZ) stands as the most widely utilized herbicide globally and is known for its adverse impacts on the reproductive system. Although astragaloside IV (AS IV) is well known for possessing various health benefits, its protective effects against ATZ-induced toxicity remain unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative potential of AS IV against ATZ-induced male reproductive toxicity in mice. Methods: Eight-week-old CD-1 mice were allocated into four groups (n = 10). ATZ and AS IV were administered at doses of 100 mg/kg/day and 40 mg/kg/day, respectively. Treatments were continued for 21 days, after which the animals were sacrificed for plasma biochemical analyses and testes collection for histopathological examination. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison test was used for data analysis. Molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate ATZ and AS IV interactions with oxidative stress- and inflammation-related proteins, including glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Nrf2, NF-κβ, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, cullin-3, and Keap-1. Results: Biochemical analysis revealed significant reductions in GSH levels ( Conclusion: AS IV appears to be a promising natural compound for preventing ATZ-induced male reproductive toxicity. Further investigations to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind such positive effects are warranted.