Protective effect of hydro-methanolic extract of Abroma augusta leaves in diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction in albino rat

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the protective efficacy of Abroma augusta leaf extract on testicular impairment in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Methods: Eighteen normoglycemic male albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, STZ-induced (40 mg/kg body weight) diabetic group, and hydro-methanolic extract of leaves of A augusta (HMAA) treated group (200 mg/kg body weight) and 42 days of treatment were followed. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1C) were elevated, but hepatic hexokinase activities and serum insulin levels significantly decreased in the diabetic group. Sperm count, viability, motility, testicular Δ5, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD activities, and serum testosterone levels were also reduced in diabetic rats. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and protein expression patterns in the testis were diminished significantly. At the same time, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and conjugated diene levels were elevated significantly in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Results: Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels were significantly decreased towards the control level after the treatment of HMAA to the diabetic group due to significant recovery of serum insulin level and restoration of pancreatic cell number and islets size. Spermatogenic markers were significantly recovered after HMAA treatment due to recovery of tunning of the pituitary-gonadal axis as well as serum testosterone level. HMAA also has potent antioxidant properties that significantly restore testicular oxidative stress markers. Conclusion: The HMAA has significant corrective efficacy in diabetes-induced testicular disorders.