Assessing the Impact of Shikonin on Testicular Health in Diabetic Rat Models

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus ranks as a significant global health issue, causing elevated blood glucose levels that negatively impact various organs, including the reproductive system. This research explored Shikonin's potential to maintain testicular function, reduce oxidative stress, and control apoptosis in diabetic rats. The experiment involved five groups of male albino rats: a control group, a diabetes group, Shikonin treated group (0.5 mg/kg), and only Shikonin group and Metformin treated group (50 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced using a high-fat diet and a 50 mg/kg dose of STZ via intraperitoneal injection. The study measured body and testicular weight, blood glucose, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and testosterone levels. It also assessed histological changes in testicular tissue and markers of oxidative stress like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Real-time qPCR was employed to assess expression of mRNA of genes linked to apoptosis and metabolic system such as cytochrome C, caspase 9, caspase 3, LDHC, and FGF21. The diabetic rats showed notable decreases in body and testicular weights, GSI, and testosterone levels, along with increased blood glucose and MDA levels and reduced SOD and CAT activity. Histological examination revealed significant damage to seminiferous tubules and decreased cell populations in diabetic rats. Shikonin treatment markedly improved these indicators, reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. The alteration in mRNA levels of genes linked to apoptosis further validated Shikonin's protective effects. These results highlight Shikonin's beneficial impact on diabetic testicular damage through its anti-oxidative and anti apoptotic actions, suggesting its therapeutic potential for managing metabolic and reproductive issues in diabetes and encouraging further study and clinical trials