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<p>Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a multifactorial disorder with increasing prevalence in aging populations and is frequently exacerbated by pharmacological interventions such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paroxetine is among the SSRIs most strongly associated with persistent sexual and reproductive dysfunction, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Emerging evidence implicates aquaporins (AQPs), particularly the peroxiporins AQP8 and AQP9, in oxidative stress mediated reproductive injury. This study evaluated the comparative therapeutic effects of sildenafil citrate and the phytotherapeutic agent <i>Tribulus terrestris</i> (Gokshura) on paroxetine-induced erectile and reproductive toxicity in male mice, with emphasis on AQP8 and AQP9 regulation. In this study, male mice (n = 20; 5 per group) were administered paroxetine (5&#xa0;mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days to induce erectile and reproductive toxicity, followed by treatment with sildenafil (10&#xa0;mg/kg) for 14&#xa0;days or <i>Tribulus terrestris</i> (100&#xa0;mg/kg) for 28&#xa0;days. Sub-chronic paroxetine administration resulted in marked testicular and epididymal atrophy, impaired sperm parameters, reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, seminiferous tubule degeneration, and significant upregulation of AQP8 and AQP9 expression. Sildenafil effectively restored reproductive organ indices, sperm quality, NO levels, testicular histoarchitecture, and normalized aquaporin expression. Gokshura exerted partial protective effects, improving epididymal index, sperm quality, NO levels, and selectively reducing AQP9 expression, while showing limited efficacy on testicular integrity and AQP8 regulation. These findings highlight the involvement of aquaporins in SSRI-induced reproductive toxicity and support their potential as molecular indicators of ED pathology and therapeutic recovery.</p>

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Sildenafil and Tribulus terrestris Differentially Modulate Aquaporin Expression in SSRI-Induced Erectile and Reproductive Dysfunction

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月27日

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  • Arbina Alam,
  • Ananya Chetia,
  • Momita Rani Baro,
  • Leena Das,
  • Pliza Kalita,
  • Manas Das

摘要

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a multifactorial disorder with increasing prevalence in aging populations and is frequently exacerbated by pharmacological interventions such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paroxetine is among the SSRIs most strongly associated with persistent sexual and reproductive dysfunction, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Emerging evidence implicates aquaporins (AQPs), particularly the peroxiporins AQP8 and AQP9, in oxidative stress mediated reproductive injury. This study evaluated the comparative therapeutic effects of sildenafil citrate and the phytotherapeutic agent Tribulus terrestris (Gokshura) on paroxetine-induced erectile and reproductive toxicity in male mice, with emphasis on AQP8 and AQP9 regulation. In this study, male mice (n = 20; 5 per group) were administered paroxetine (5 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days to induce erectile and reproductive toxicity, followed by treatment with sildenafil (10 mg/kg) for 14 days or Tribulus terrestris (100 mg/kg) for 28 days. Sub-chronic paroxetine administration resulted in marked testicular and epididymal atrophy, impaired sperm parameters, reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, seminiferous tubule degeneration, and significant upregulation of AQP8 and AQP9 expression. Sildenafil effectively restored reproductive organ indices, sperm quality, NO levels, testicular histoarchitecture, and normalized aquaporin expression. Gokshura exerted partial protective effects, improving epididymal index, sperm quality, NO levels, and selectively reducing AQP9 expression, while showing limited efficacy on testicular integrity and AQP8 regulation. These findings highlight the involvement of aquaporins in SSRI-induced reproductive toxicity and support their potential as molecular indicators of ED pathology and therapeutic recovery.