Effect of palmatine hydrochloride on testicular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus mediated by oxidative stress, creates serious metabolic disorders in testis. Palmatine hydrochloride has various pharmacological effects, including anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities.

Objective: This study has been conducted to evaluate the preventative effects of palmatine hydrochloride medicine on testicular damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Thirty two male Wistar rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups: control, non-diabetic treated with palmatine hydrochloride, diabetic and diabetic treated with palmatine hydrochloride. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i.p.) in animals, and after one week, palmatine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg, s.c) was administered for six weeks in rats. Testicular damage was examined by using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Blood biochemical factors were measured.

Findings: The results of this study indicate that diabetes reduced the spermatogonia and Sertoli cells, spermatogenesis, sperm count, and sperm function (P