Ameliorative effects of Lycium chinensis on male sexual dysfunction and testicular oxidative damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The root bark of Lycium chinense (LC) has been reported to have potent antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. In the present study, we investigated the attenuative effect of LC against diabetes induced sexual dysfunction and testicular damages in animal models. Diabetic animals were treated with LC (100 and 400 mg/kg) once daily for 6 weeks. At the end of the treatment, mating behavior tests were performed and the animals were sacrificed for the determination of hormonal profile, oxidative stress indices and sperm analysis. LC administration significantly decreased blood glucose level, enhancement of the antioxidant enzyme activities, restored altered sperm characteristics and markedly improved levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone as compared to the untreated diabetic animals. Furthermore, LC also improved sperm count, viability, motility, increased the reproductive organs weight. The results obtained indicated that L. chinense has beneficial effects in diabetes sexual dysfunction.

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

“…Out of all the impairments associated with diabetes mellitus, reproductive and testicular impairment has not received considerable attention. There are accumulating evidences that have associated diabetes with testicular damages and hyperglycemia induced oxidative stress is partly or fully responsible for this damage 5,32 . This present study evaluated the protective action of S roxburghii leaves on diabetes induced testicular damage in rats.…”

“…Prolonged and persistent hyperglycemia experienced in diabetes mellitus can lead to serious life threatening diabetic complications including diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, reproductive dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases 4 . 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 …”

Tiliacora triandra extract and its major constituent attenuates diabetic kidney and testicular impairment by modulating redox imbalance and pro‐inflammatory responses in rats

“…Hyperglycaemia activates signalling pathways that enhances the accumulation of ROS and oxidative stress which in turn leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products, pro‐inflammatory mediators and apoptosis which play a critical role in diabetic complications including kidney and testes damage 14 . In addition, numerous literatures have shown that the activities of antioxidants enzymes are reduced in the kidney and testes of diabetic animal models 7,15 …”

“…4,5 The kidney and testes are two organs that are grossly affected by diabetes and several reports have shown that more than 40% of diabetic patients eventually develop complications of the kidney or testicular dysfunction during their lifetime. [6][7][8] Although, testicular dysfunction in diabetes is not life threatening, the psychological and emotional problems associated with it is huge. Whereas, complications of the kidney arising from diabetes can be fatal and can result in end stage kidney disease, kidney failure or even death.…”

Vitamins combined with traditional Chinese medicine for male infertility: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…reproductive system, which may be responsible for the clinical efficacy of Shenjing capsule for male infertility. In addition, growing evidence has revealed that TCM can not only regulate the reproductive endocrine system, 63 but it can also regulate luteinizing hormone levels, 64 raise testosterone levels, 65 boost the function of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, 66 prevent oxidative stress, 67,68 modulate the proliferation and apoptosis of germ cells, 67,68 and supplement trace elements. 69 With the continuous exploration of integrated TCM and Western medicine therapy, its advantages in male infertility treatment will be further highlighted.…”