Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on DBP-induced spermatogenesis injury via the Src/PI3K signaling pathway

This study aimed to investigate the protective mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) against Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) induced spermatogenic damage, focusing on the Src/PI3K/Akt pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Rg3 restored DBP-induced dysregulation of gap junction (GJ) protein connexin 43 (Cx43), improved testicular structure, enhanced sperm parameters (count and motility), and upregulated phosphorylation of Src, PI3K, and Akt (p-Src, p-PI3K, p-Akt) in mice. In vitro studies, using the metabolite of DBP, monobutyl phthalate (MBP), and pathway inhibitors (PP2 for Src and LY294002 for PI3K), further confirmed these effects. Rg3 increased antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced oxidative stress marker MDA, and enhanced the expression of p-Src, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and Cx43 in MBP-treated TM4 Sertoli cells. Inhibitor experiments confirmed that the Src/PI3K pathway mediates Rg3's protective action. These findings suggest that Rg3 alleviates DBP/MBP-induced male reproductive dysfunction by enhancing antioxidant capacity and reactivating the Src/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which helps restore blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity through Cx43 stabilization. Thus, Rg3 may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for environmental toxicant-related male infertility.

Cx43; Di-n-butyl phthalate; Ginsenoside Rg3; In vitro; In vivo; Spermatogenesis; Src/PI3K signaling pathway.