Total flavonoids of Epimedium ameliorates testicular damage in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress

Abstract

Testicular damage is the anomaly that will often accompany diabetes mellitus. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role that total flavonoids of Epimedium (TFE) played against streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic testicular dysfunction and to elucidate the mechanism of action. The diabetic rat model was induced by vein injection of STZ in healthy rats. Thirty male healthy Spraque‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into following groups: the control group, the diabetic group, and the diabetic + TFE group. Gastrointestinal administration begins at fifth week of TFE for 6 weeks. After TFE administration, all animals were euthanized. Testicular tissue samples and blood samples of rats were collected for histopathological examination and for determination of levels of various biomarkers including blood glucose, testosterone, testicular enzymes, and oxidative stress indicators. All testes were weighted to calculate the testicular organ index. Hematoxylin‐eosin staining was used for observing the testis and epididymis pathological changes. Protein expression (monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, transforming growth factor‐beta‐1, interleukin‐6, and 3‐beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot techniques. There was a significant difference in the changes between the diabetes group and the control group. As a result of treat with TFE, the blood glucose decreased but there was no significant difference, and other indicators showed significant improvement. TFE may protect against STZ‐induced testicular injury by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Protective effects of ethyl acetate extract from Shorea roxburghii against diabetes induced testicular damage in rats

“…Testicular damage caused by diabetes can result in the loss of testicular activities of certain marker of spermatogenesis, including ACP and LDH 10,34,35 . It was observed that ACP and LDH in the testes of the diabetic rats were significantly decreased and SRE was able to significantly ameliorate these alterations by increasing the levels of these enzymes.…”

“…Diabetes induced reproductive dysfunction occurs in about 35% to 90% of diabetic patients 5‐7 . In males the evidence of diabetic induced sexual and testicular dysfunction includes hypotestosteronaemia, abnormal spermatogenesis, reduced libido and ejaculatory dysfunction 8‐10 …”

Total flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae ameliorate steroid‑induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head via the PI3K/AKT pathway

“…The main chemical constituents of the Rhizoma drynariae extract include phenolic acids, flavonoids and triterpenes, as well as their glycosides (8). Among these, studies have mainly focused on total flavonoids (23)(24)(25). As TFRD has antioxidant properties and anti-osteoporosis activity, it has been widely used in clinic and has great value in research and development (26).…”

Silencing cyclophilin A improves insulin secretion, reduces cell apoptosis, and alleviates inflammation as well as oxidant stress in high glucose-induced pancreatic β-cells via MAPK/NF-kb signaling pathway

“…Inflammation and oxidative stress are two major factors contributing to diabetes-induced injuries [43,44]. And inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress develop protective effects in diabetes [45][46][47][48]. Cyclophilin A is confirmed to be secreted by cells under the stimulation of inflammation and oxidative stress [49].…”