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.