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Rosemary leaf extract alleviates testicular impairment, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats


Ahlam Alahmadi
Bassam Alahmadi

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of ethanol extract of rosemary leaf (EERL) (Rosmarinus
officinalis L., family Lamiaceae) against testicular damage in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes rats.
Methods: The study involved four groups of rats (n = 6). Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) was induced by
injection of 50 mg/kg of STZ. Group 1 served as the control (non-diabetic) group. Group 2 included T2D
rats without treatment. Group 3 comprised T2D rats treated with EERL at 200 mg/kg. Group 4 consisted
of T2D rats treated with EERL at a dose of 400 mg/kg. The extract was administered orally once a day
for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and
luteinizing hormone (LH), and oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde
(MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) levels were assessed.
Additionally, histopathological examination using H & E staining and immunohistochemical analysis was
conducted to evaluate the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 in the
testes.
Results: Compared to the untreated T2D rats, EERL administration at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg
produced a significant decrease (p ˂ 0.05) in FBG levels and elevated levels of serum testosterone,
FSH, and LH hormones (p ˂ 0.05). Additionally, EERL administration (both doses) compared to the
untreated T2D group led to a significant (p ˂ 0.05) reduction in testicular MDA content and significant (p
˂ 0.05) enhancement of GSH, SOD, and GPx. Moreover, EERL exhibited potential inhibition of STZinduced
testicular damage and successfully averted apoptotic reactions by significantly reducing
caspase-3 expression.
Conclusion: Ethanol extract of rosemary leaf (EERL) diminishes testicular damage, and counteracts
oxidative burden and apoptosis in T2D rats. Ethanol extract from rosemary may be a source of
molecules for development as a medicine to support sexual hormones in individuals with diabetes.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996