Possible therapeutic effects of vindoline on testicular and epididymal function in diabetes-induced oxidative stress male Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE

The study evaluated the effects of vindoline on testicular and epididymal oxidative stress in diabetes-induced male Wistar rats.

METHODS

Forty-eight (48), 6-week old male Wistar rats weighing between 190-230g were divided into 6 groups (n = 8) and used for this study. Group 1 was the normal control, group 2 comprised non-diabetic rats treated with vindoline, and group 3 was the non-diabetic group of rats treated with glibenclamide-the standard drug for the treatment of diabetes. Group 4 was the diabetic control, group 5 comprised diabetic rats treated with vindoline and group 6 was the diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide. Diabetes was induced in group 4, group 5 and group 6 rats by subjecting them to 10% fructose water over a period of 2 weeks, followed by administration of a single intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg b.w streptozotocin (STZ). Testicular and epididymal lipid peroxidation levels, antioxidant enzymes, scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity were measured.

RESULTS

Diabetes-induced male Wistar rats demonstrated chronic hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and reduced oxygen radical absorption capacity in both testicular and epididymal tissues. Short-term treatment of diabetic rats with vindoline for 5 weeks significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, minimise testicular oxidative stress, increased testicular and epididymal catalase and epididymal SOD and increase total antioxidant activity capacity.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with vindoline showed protective effects against diabetes-induced oxidative stress in both testicular and epididymal tissues of male Wistar rats, hence can be considered potential agent in the management of diabetes-induced oxidative stress male sexual dysfunction.