Two new metabolites, 29-demethyl-3-ene-cycloastragenol (2) and 1α,12α-dihydroxy-cycloastragenone (3), along with six known compounds (4-9) were obtained from the microbial transformation of cycloastragenol (1) by Penicillium spinulosum AS3.149. The structures of these metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic (IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR) data analyses. Compound 2 features a 29-nor-triterpenic skeleton, possibly formed through sequential oxidation, decarboxylation, and dehydration reactions. Biological assays revealed that compound 6 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against the K562 cell line with an IC50 value of 1.0 μM.
The study investigates Panax ginseng nanoemulsion role in counteracting male infertility in rats. Nanoemulsion was prepared by oil in water method, then it was characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Zeta sizer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The serum total testosterone, free testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) were measured. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Protein kinase B (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), E-cadherin (E-cad), and connexin 43 (Cx43) expression were analyzed. A histological examination of testes was also carried out. Nanoemulsion exhibited a spherical morphology, with diameter from 5.98 to 51.80 nm. Additionally, Zeta sizer determined size distribution by number from 97.74 to 147.4 nm. Zeta potential revealed negatively charged surface. FTIR showed common active groups. Nanoemulsions demonstrated thermal stability up to 207 °C. Biological experiments indicated that adverse effects of bisphenol A (BPA) were counteracted by Panax ginseng in either nanoemulsion or free form and vitamin E (Vit.E). Panax ginseng nanoemulsion recovers male infertility in rats. These outcomes may have a significant impact on developing a new therapeutic entity to treat male infertile patients.

