Effect of Levisticum officinale extract on oxidative stress markers, testosterone level and histology of testis tissue in diabetic rats

Plant antioxidant sources are effective in the amelioration of diabetes mellitus-associated reproductive disorders. The present study was done to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Levisticum officinale on oxidative stress markers, serum testosterone level and the histopathology of testicular tissue in diabetic rats.

Type I diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin )65 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups and received 1ml distilled water, 500 mg/kg extract and 20 mg/kg glibenclamide by gavage for 14 days. One group of normal rats also received 1 ml distilled water. At the end of treatments, the animals were anaesthetized, weighed and their blood samples were collected to determine serum testosterone level. The testis of rats weighed and used for evaluation of catalase ( CAT ) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes activities, malondialdehyde ( MDA ) level and histological studies.

Treatment of diabetic rats with 500 mg/kg extract of L. officinale significantly increased body and testis weight, serum testosterone level, CAT and SOD enzymes activities in the testis tissue and reduced testis MDA level. Also, extract of L. officinale ameliorated testicular tissue damages caused by diabetes mellitus.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Levisticum officinale has antioxidant property and can improve fertility and reduce testicular tissue destructions in diabetes mellitus through increasing antioxidant enzymes activity.