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Abstract

Background: Tamarindus indica Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae) is a well-known traditional plant used by the tribes as well as rural sectors of tropical countries. Locally, it is named as Tantul and recognized as therapeutic uses of different diseases. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hydromethanolic extract of T. indica Linn. seed in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic testicular dysfunction correction. Materials and Methods: STZ-induced diabetic state has been established here by single intramuscular injection of STZ (6 mg/100 g body weight in citrate buffer, pH 4.5) resulted hyperglycemia. STZ-induced experimental diabetes resulted testicular dysfunctions evaluated by sperm count, sperm motility, viability, and seminal vesicle fructose content as well as by the level of serum testosterone. Testicular oxidative stress has been observed by the monitoring of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase activities. Quantification of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and conjugated diene in testicular tissue was assessed. General and metabolic toxicity assessment parameters were studied. Results: Administration of hydromethanolic extract to STZ-induced diabetic rat at the dose of 80 mg/100 g body weight/day for 28 days resulted a significant protection in fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and serum testosterone levels (P < 0.05) along with the correction of testicular above-mentioned parameters as well as semen analysis parameters toward the control level (P < 0.05). This extract has no general toxic effect on the body weight, along with no metabolic toxicity that was reflected here by the assessment of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and pyruvate transaminase activities. Conclusion: These data demonstrated that T. indica significantly improved STZ-induced diabetic complication in rat testis. This study suggested that hydromethanolic extract might have a protective role against oxidative stress-induced impairment in testicular functions in diabetic rats.