Investigation of the Therapeutic Effects of Allium cepa Extract on Ovaries and Uterus in Chronically Administered DHEA Rats by Apoptotic Pathways
17th Multinational Congress on Microscopy, Piran, Slovenya, 7 - 12 Eylül 2025, ss.212, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Piran
- Basıldığı Ülke: Slovenya
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.212
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone synthesized by the adrenal glands and the liver, serves as a crucial precursor in the biosynthesis of both androgens and estrogens. Currently, DHEA finds applications across diverse medical and physiological domains, including the management of sexual dysfunctions, the attenuation of menopausal symptoms, body weight regulation, and the potential enhancement of athletic performance. Within this context, existing literature has explored the metabolic and endocrine influences of DHEA administration on the ovaries and uterus. Allium cepa (AC), commonly known as onion, is characterized by a rich array of nutritional components and bioactive phytochemicals. These include flavonoids and flavonol glycosides, alongside phenolic and organosulfur compounds. This compositional profile confers upon AC a spectrum of biological activities, notably encompassing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibitory properties. With a long history of use in traditional medicine and a significant role in dietary intake, AC has been the subject of numerous investigations into its effects on various disease states. The present study aimed to investigate the morphological alterations occurring in the ovarian corpus luteum and the uterine surface epithelium, stroma, and glands of rats subjected to chronic administration of DHEA and DHEA+AC by investigating apoptotic pathways. Findings were derived from immunohistochemical analysis and semi-thin section examination conducted at the light microscopy level. For ovarian tissues, statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in Bcl-2 expression in the DHEA+AC treatment group compared to both the control and DHEA groups. In uterine tissues, a statistically significant elevation in phospho-AKT levels was observed in the surface epithelium of both the DHEA and DHEA+AC groups relative to the control group. Furthermore, the glandular epithelium of the DHEA+AC group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the levels of Bcl-2 and NFkB compared to the control group. A statistically significant increase in stromal phospho-AKT levels was also noted in the DHEA+AC group compared to the control. Additionally, histopathological examination of the corpus luteum in the DHEA-treated group revealed the presence of basophilic stained cells alongside the typical luteal cells. These results suggest that AC may exert its effects on ovarian and uterine tissue through various apoptotic pathways in DHEA-administered rats.