In vitro antiapoptotic effects of the calligonum extract on spermatogonial stem cells

Background: Spermatogonial stem cells are the foundation of spermatogenesis and male fertility. So, their maintenance and culture are very important.
Objective: In this study, we assessed protective effects of the Calligonum on in vitro viability and apoptotic and antiapoptotic genes expression of spermatogonial stem cells.
Materials and Methods: After 24 hr of culture, the spermatogonial stem cells were treated with 30 μM dose of H₂O₂ and then 10 μg/ml the Calligonum extract was added for 3 wks. Viability was assessed by Trypan blue, apoptosis using PI-Annexin and finally Bax, Bcl-2 and P53 genes expression by Real-Time Polymerase chain reaction.
Results: After 3 wk of treatment, viability in the Calligonum extract+H₂O₂ group was significantly higher than H₂O₂ group alone (p=0.001). In the Calligonum extract+H₂O₂ group, apoptosis, as well as expression of apoptotic genes (Bax and P53), was significantly lower than the group treated with H₂O₂ alone.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that 30 μM H₂O₂ increased apoptosis but decreased viability in spermatogonial stem cells. Calligonum has antioxidant properties that can reduce apoptosis, Bax and P53 expression and increase the viability and Bcl-2 expression.