Zingerone attenuates zearalenone-induced steroidogenesis impairment and apoptosis in TM3 Leydig cell line

Zingerone1 (Zing) is one of the bioactive compounds of ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale), whose beneficial effects have been reported previously on reproductive organ complications. The current study purposed to survey probable protective impacts of Zing against Zearalenone (ZEA)-induced changes in the TM3 Leydig cell line. Exposure of TM3 cells to ZEA (25 μM) attenuates the levels of testosterone and steroidogenesis-related genes, which was reversed by 25 μM of Zing. ZEA also induced ROS generation and apoptosis in TM3 cells. Zing treatment improved the stress oxidative and apoptosis-related changes induced by ZEA in TM3 cells by modulating autophagy-related proteins and activating PI3K-AKT-mTOR and Nrf2 pathways. The findings of this study represented a theoretical basis for Zing's protective actions against ZEA toxic effects on TM3 cells.