The effects of ethanol extract of Punica granatum L. peel on the testis damage induced by diabetes in rats

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of ethanol extract of Punica granatum L. peel (PGE) on oxidative stress and histopathological values in blood and testis tissue in rats with diabetes. In present study used twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups containing of seven rats per group. Group 1; peros physiological saline to the rat, Group 2; STZ 60 mg/kg/IP single dose, Group 3; PGE 10 mg/kg/20days/peros, Group 4; STZ as 60 mg/kg/IP + PGE 10 mg/kg/20days/peros. After the end of the experimental procedure, the rats were sacrificed, blood and testicular tissues were taken, and biochemical and histopathological examinations were performed. The administration of PGE was shown that the activities of CAT, SOD, GPx and GSH increased and the levels of MDA decreased in diabetic rats. Oral administration of PGE reduced the levels of LPO and improved the antioxidant activity in plasma and testis tissues while compared with the Groups 4. Histopathological examination of testicular tissues in the Group 2 is revealed edema in the intertubular spaces, thinning of the tubule walls due to diminished spermatocytes in the walls of the seminiferous tubules and severe degenerative and necrotic changes in spermatocytes. These changes were found to be very mild in Group 4. According to immunohistochemical findings, in Group 2, caspase 3 expression was intensely expressed in spermatocytes. As a result, it was observed that Punica granatum L. peel extract strengthened antioxidant defense and reduced oxidative stress in diabetic rats.