Browsing by Author "Jyoti Parkash"

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Anti-androgenic and anti-proliferative properties of methanolic leaf extract of Allamanda cathartica Linn. in adult mouse testis: Evidences from in vivo and in silico studies
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Rakesh Raman; Rimple Kaur; Swanand Kulkarni; Deepanshu Joshi; Jyoti Parkash; Suresh Thareja; Debarshi Sarkar; Shio Kumar Singh
Dysregulation in androgen production causes a variety of clinical disorders like male pattern baldness, hirsutism, acne vulgaris, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Although the common synthetic drugs used to treat these diseases have many side effects, there is growing demand for alternative and herbal therapies. Allamanda cathartica Linn. (family, Apocynaceae) is traditionally used to treat variety of diseases because of its hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antimicrobial properties. However, the effects of Allamanda leaves on testosterone production still remain elusive. The present study aims to elucidate the effect and possible mode(s) of action of the methanolic leaf extract of A. cathartica (MLEAC) on androgen biosynthesis and germ cell proliferation in adult mouse testis. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were orally administered MLEAC (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight/day) or distilled water (controls) for 42 days. MLEAC treatment caused non-uniform degenerative changes in the histoarchitecture of testis. The treatment also had negative impact on serum testosterone level with downregulation of the expressions of major steroidogenic proteins (StAR, CYP11A1, 3β-and 17β-HSD3). Flow cytometry and immunohistochemical analyses showed impaired gem cell proliferation in MLEAC-treated mice testes. The GC-MS method identified 20 phytocompounds in MLEAC. The in silico study further revealed that GC-MS-derived phytochemicals have the potential to bind with major steroidogenic proteins in testis. MLEAC treatment thus causes suppression of germ cell proliferation via downregulation of testosterone production. Keeping in view the traditional use of Allamanda, the present findings may prove helpful in the search of a plant-based anti-androgenic compound. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Gametogenic and steroidogenic action of kisspeptin-10 in the Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus: Putative underlying mechanistic cascade
(Elsevier Inc., 2021) Ankur Singh; Bechan Lal; Jyoti Parkash; Robert P. Millar
Unlike mammals, two kisspeptins genes encoding, kiss1 and kiss2 are detected in fishes with highly varied and contradictory difference in their reproductive activities. The present study was undertaken to examine the direct action of kisspeptin-10 and its role in gonadal activities in the gonadally quiescent Asian catfish using native mammalian kisspeptin decapeptide (KP-10) involving in vivo and in vitro approaches. The in vivo KP-10 treatment caused precocious onset of gametogenesis and its rapid progression, as was evident from the appearance of advanced stages of ovarian follicles in ovary, and advanced germ cells (spermatocytes/ spermatids) in the testis of the treated Clarias batrachus in comparison to the control gonads. It also elevated the steroid levels in gonads of the catfish in vivo and in vitro conditions. Simultaneously, it increased the expressions of key steroidogenic enzymes like 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD, and StAR protein, responsible for transfer of cholesterol from outer to inner membrane of the mitochondria of steroidogenic cells. Concurrently, it augmented the activities of 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD in the ovarian explants. The expressions of MAPK component (pERK1/2 and ERK1/2) were also up-regulated by KP-10 in gonadal explants. Thus, the data suggest that kisspeptin-10 stimulates gametogenesis by enhancing gonadal steroid production. The study also describes the putative mechanistic cascade of steroidogenic actions of kisspeptin-10 in the catfish so much so in teleost fish. The study also suggests that, kisspeptin may act locally to regulate gonadal activities in an autocrine/paracine manner, independent of known extra-gonadal factors in the catfish. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.
Knockdown of type 2 orexin receptor in adult mouse testis potentiates testosterone production and germ cell proliferation
(Elsevier Ireland Ltd, 2024) Pratikshya Sahoo; Debarshi Sarkar; Shubhangi Sharma; Arpit Verma; Suraj Kumar Naik; Vikash Prashar; Jyoti Parkash; Shio Kumar Singh
Orexins (OXs) are neuropeptides which regulate various physiological processes. OXs exist in two different forms, mainly orexin A (OXA) and orexin B (OXB) and their effects are mediated via OX1R and OX2R. Presence of OXB and OX2R in mouse testis is also reported. However, the role of OXB/OX2R in the male gonad remains unexplored. Herein we investigated the role of OXB/OX2R system in testicular physiology under in vivo and ex vivo conditions. Adult mice were given a single dose of bilateral intratesticular injection of siRNA targeting OX2R and were sacrificed 96 h post-injection. OX2R-knockdown potentiated serum and intratesticular testosterone levels with up-regulation in the expressions of major steroidogenic proteins. Germ cell proliferation also increased in siRNA-treated mice. Results of the ex vivo experiment also supported the findings of the in vivo study. In conclusion, OX2R may regulate testosterone production and thereby control the fine-tuning between steroidogenesis and germ cell dynamics. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) during pregnancy: Effect on fetal growth and long-term reproductive outcomes
(Elsevier Inc., 2025) Debarshi Sarkar; Souvik Mandal; Srinwanti Bandyopadhyay; Sayan Bose; Jyoti Parkash; Shio Kumar Singh
Anxiety and depression during pregnancy are recognized as major public health concerns. Depression and anxiety, if untreated, severely affect both mother and the fetus, especially during pregnancy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are frequently prescribed drugs to manage above conditions during pregnancy. Although these medications affect the levels of neurotransmitters, research indicates their potential impact on development of the fetus. Studies on maternal exposure to SSRIs and SNRIs show possible risks of offspring's congenital cardiovascular abnormalities and anomalies of the kidney and digestive system. Maternal exposure to selective SSRIs and SNRIs during pregnancy has been associated with certain adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal adaptation syndrome. Exposure to SSRIs and SNRIs also increases the possible risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn. However, evidence regarding long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes remains inconclusive, with studies showing mixed results. Therefore, based on the available data, it is hypothesized that these drugs may potentially have direct or indirect effects on reproductive outcomes of the progeny. Because of the increasing occurrence of maternal depression worldwide and the consequent usage of SSRIs and SNRIs, there is an urgent need for additional data to better understand the risk of developmental toxicity related to the use of these antidepressants during pregnancy. This review, therefore, aims to examine the effects of SSRIs and SNRIs exposure during pregnancy on fetal growth, postnatal development and long-term reproductive outcomes of the progeny with regard to a careful consideration of better treatment options. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.