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Aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf induces generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in rat oocytes

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

Present study was aimed to determine whether aqueous neem leaf extract (NLE) induces generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis through mitochondria-mediated pathway in rat oocytes.

Design

A controlled prospective study.

Setting

Laboratory research setting at Department of Zoology of Banaras Hindu University.

Animal(s)

Forty eight sexually immature female rats that were 20–30 days of age.

Intervention(s)

Sexually immature female rats were fed palatable dose of NLE (10 mg/g dry feed palate) for 10 days and then subjected to superovulation induction protocol. Thereafter, rats were euthanized, ovulated cumulus oocyte complexes were collected from oviduct and oocytes were denuded.

Main outcome measure(s)

Rate of morphological apoptotic changes, measurement of hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and cytochrome c concentrations, caspase-9, caspases-3 activities and DNA fragmentation in oocytes.

Results

In vivo NLE treatment induced morphological apoptotic changes were associated with increased hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and cytochrome c concentrations, caspase-9, caspase-3 activities and DNA fragmentation in oocyte.

Conclusion

NLE induces generation of ROS that leads to oocytes apoptosis through mitochondria-mediated pathway.

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Acknowledgement

Authors are thankful to Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India for financial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Anima Tripathi & Shail K. Chaube

  2. Department of Reproductive Biomedicine, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare Baba Gang Nath Marg Munirka, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Tulsidas G. Shrivastav

Authors
  1. Anima Tripathi
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  2. Tulsidas G. Shrivastav
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  3. Shail K. Chaube
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shail K. Chaube.

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Capsule

Aqueous Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract induces generation of ROS and thereby oocyte apoptosis through mitochondria-mediated pathway

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Tripathi, A., Shrivastav, T.G. & Chaube, S.K. Aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf induces generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in rat oocytes. J Assist Reprod Genet 29, 15–23 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9671-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9671-0

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