ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to investigate the role of gallic acid treatment on spinal cord tissues after spinal cord injury (SCI) and its relationship with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by histochemical, immunohistochemical, and in-silico techniques. Methods: Thirty female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham, SCI, and SCI+gallic acid. SCI was induced by dropping a 15-g weight onto the exposed T10-T11 spinal cord segment. The SCI+gallic acid group received 25 mg/kg of gallic acid intraperitoneally daily for one week. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and silico analyses were performed. Results: Histological analysis revealed improved neural cell survival and tissue integrity in the SCI+gallic acid group compared to the SCI group. Caspase-12 expression was significantly increased in the SCI group, indicating elevated ER stress and apoptosis. Gallic acid treatment resulted in a marked reduction in caspase-12 expression in neurons, neuroglia, and endothelial cells, suggesting decreased ER stress. Conclusion: Gallic acid exhibits significant neuroprotective effects against ER stress and cellular damage in a rat model of SCI. The in-silico analysis revealed apoptotic and immune-related pathways in which gallic acid showed neuroprotective effects by regulating caspase-12. These results suggest that gallic acid may be a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating secondary damage post-SCI.

Resumen Objetivo: Explorar el posible efecto protector de Passiflora incarnata L. (PI) en el tratamiento de la lesión por isquemia-reperfusión (IR) después de una torsión testicular en ratas. Método: Se estudió el impacto de Passiflora incarnata en el daño por IR en ratas Wistar albinas machos. Los animales se dividieron tres grupos: 1 (simulado), 2 (IR) y 3 (IR+PI). Resultados: Los niveles de malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) y glutathione (GSH) no difirieron significativamente entre los grupos (p = 0.830, p = 0.153 y p = 0.140, respectivamente). Sin embargo, el grupo 3 tuvo un valor de estado antioxidante total (TAS) superior en comparación con el grupo 2 (p = 0.020). Al mismo tiempo, el grupo 3 presentó un estado oxidante total (TOS) medio significativamente disminuido en comparación con el grupo 2 (p = 0.009). El grupo 3 mostró una mejora notable en la puntuación de Johnsen en comparación con el grupo 2 (p < 0.01). La IR causó degeneración celular, apoptosis y fibrosis en los tejidos testiculares. El tratamiento con PI mitigó estos efectos, preservó la integridad de los túbulos seminíferos y promovió la espermatogénesis regular. Además, redujo la expresión de factor de necrosis tumoral alfa, Bax y anexina V, lo que significa una disminución de la inflamación y de la apoptosis, respaldando así la supervivencia celular (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 y p < 0.01, respectivamente). Conclusiones: Este estudio reveló que PI reduce significativamente el estrés oxidativo y el daño testicular, beneficiando potencialmente las terapias para lesiones por IR.

Abstract Objective: The current study aimed to explore the potential protective effect of Passiflora Incarnata L., (PI) in treating IR injury after testicular torsion in rats. Materials and methods: This research investigated the impact of PI on IR damage in male Wistar albino rats. Animals were divided to three groups: group 1 (sham), group 2 (IR), and group 3 (IR+PI). Results: The malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and glutathione (GSH) levels did not significantly differ across the groups (p = 0.830, p = 0.153 and p=0.140, respectively). However, Group 3 demonstrated a superior total antioxidant status (TAS) value compared to Group 2 (p = 0.020). Concurrently, Group 3 presented a significantly diminished mean total oxidant status (TOS) relative to Group 2 (p = 0.009). Furthermore, Group 3 showed a markedly improved Johnsen score relative to Group 2 (p < 0.01). IR caused cell degeneration, apoptosis, and fibrosis in testicular tissues. PI treatment, however, mitigated these effects, preserved seminiferous tubule integrity and promoted regular spermatogenesis. Furthermore, it reduced expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Bax, and Annexin V, signifying diminished inflammation and apoptosis, thereby supporting cell survival (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: This study revealed that PI significantly reduces oxidative stress and testicular damage, potentially benefiting therapies for IR injuries.