Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry profiling of propolis and royal jelly and their ameliorative effects on cadmium-instigated pathological consequences in ovarian tissues of rats

• Published in: Microchemical journal 2024-12, Vol.207, p.111800, Article 111800
• Main Authors: Amr, Alaa, Abdel Karim, Ahmed E., Abd El-Wahed, Aida A., El-Seedi, Hesham R., Augustyniak, Maria, El Wakil, Abeer, El-Samad, Lamia M., Hassan, Mohamed A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cadmium; Infertility; LC–LTQ–MS–MS; Ovarian dysfunction; Propolis; Royal Jelly
• ISSN: 0026-265X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2024.111800

[Display omitted] •Bioactive compounds in propolis (PRO) and royal jelly (ROJ) were identified by LC–LTQ–MS–MS.•Cd instigated disruption in hormonal levels and genotoxicity in ovaries in rats.•Cd perturbed the structure of ovarian tissues.•PRO and ROJ attenuated the major deleterious influence triggered by Cd. This study was undertaken to identify the bioactive components of propolis (PRO) and royal jelly (ROJ) and their therapeutic influence on attenuating cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced ovarian toxicity and dysfunction in rats. The composition of PRO or ROJ was ascertained employing the liquid chromatography–linear ion trap quadrupole–mass spectrometry (LC–LTQ–MS–MS) method. To further evaluate the anti-infertility properties of PRO and ROJ instigated by cadmium (Cd) in vivo, thirty female mature rats (183.3 ± 12.5 g) were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 5 per group). The established animal groups included (I) control, (II) Cd, (III) PRO, (IV) ROJ, (VI) PRO + Cd, and (VII) ROJ + Cd groups. Cadmium exposure disrupted ovarian tissue functions, demonstrating remarkable disorders in progesterone and estrogen. Furthermore, the comet assay exhibited a marked rise in DNA impairment in Cd-exposed rats, implying genotoxicity. Conversely, PRO or ROJ significantly counteracted the Cd-instigated pathophysiological consequences, ameliorating hormonal levels and lessening DNA damage. Critically, histological analysis revealed several anomalies in the ovarian tissues of the Cd-administered group. Interestingly, PRO or ROJ preserved the typical structure of ovarian tissues. Our findings indicate that both PRO and ROJ could be utilized to attenuate the pernicious influences incited by Cd due to their anti-androgenic attributes.