Podophyllotoxin Extracted from Juniperus sabina Fruit Inhibits Rat Sperm Maturation and Fertility by Promoting Epididymal Epithelial Cell Apoptosis

Figure 9

(a) Cell inhibition rates of podophyllotoxin, flavone glycosides, and the essential oil on rat epididymal epithelial cells. The cells were treated with the extracts for 48 h and measured using the CCK-8 method. (b) Cell inhibition rates of podophyllotoxin on rat epididymal epithelial cells at 24, 48, and 72 h, as assessed by the CCK-8 method. Epididymal epithelial cells were treated with graded concentrations of podophyllotoxin (0–10 μg/mL). Values represent mean ± SD (). , compared with the control (0 μg/mL); , compared with the 24 h treated cells; , compared with the 48-h treated cells. (c) Podophyllotoxin induced apoptosis in rat epididymal epithelial cells. The cells were treated with podophyllotoxin for 48 h. (c1) Representative micrographs of cell apoptosis analyzed by flow cytometry (Q1: normal; Q2: necrosis; Q3: late apoptosis; Q4: early apoptosis). (c2) Representative micrographs of cell apoptosis detected by TUNEL (green fluorescence represents apoptotic cells). (c3) Percentage of apoptotic cells was quantified using the Summit software of flow cytometry and TUNEL-positive cells under a microscope. Data are represented as (); versus the control group.

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