PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM) PEELS ON THE PITUITARY GONADAL HORMONAL AXIS OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETES IN ADULT MALE ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Background: Type 1- diabetes mellitus more likely induces changes in the male reproductive system and alters the hormonal synthesis. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of diabetic testicular dysfunction. Pomegranate (PG) is believed to have a variety of biologically active components with antioxidant properties. Objectives: Evaluating the effects of PG peels on the hypogonadism and steroidogenesis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal experimental groups, i.e. control, non-diabetic-treated, diabetic and diabetic-treated. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ injection. The treated rats received 100 mg/kg PG peels via oral gavages once daily for 10 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were prepared for estimating fasting serum glucose (FSG), serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T) levels. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and steroidogenic enzymes (3β-HSD and 17β-HSD) activities were measured in the testicular homogenate. In addition, percentages of body weight (BW) gain and relative testicular weight were recorded. Results: STZ- induced diabetic rats exhibited decreases in BW gain, testis weight, LH, FSH, T, CAT, SOD, GSH, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD levels. However, PG peels administration improved the hyperglycemia, increased the LH, FSH and T levels. Also, the antioxidant enzyme activities and steroidogenic enzymes increased. Conclusion: Diabetes had induced oxidative testicular dysfunction in adult rats and adversely affected the pituitary gonadal hormonal axis. Pomegranate peels has effectively reversed the diabetes- related testicular disturbances and improved gonadal steroidogenesis due to its antioxidant and antidiabetic effects.