Attenuation of reproductive dysfunction in diabetic male rats with timber cultured Antrodia cinnamomea ethanol extract.

Diabetes mellitus together with the oxidative stress affects the process of spermatogenesis and leads to male infertility. Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) is a mushroom found unique in Taiwan and commonly used for the treatment of several types of cancers and inflammatory disorders. This study was aimed to investigate the anti-oxidative and the ameliorative effects of Antrodia cinnamomea ethanol extract (ACEE) on reproduction dysfunction in male diabetic rats. The diabetic condition was induced by administrating the combination of streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg) and nicotinamide (NA) (230 mg/kg). Three different doses of ACEE were tested (385, 770, 1540 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. The results indicated that the ACEE improved STZ-NA induced hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. In addition to this, ACEE reduced the degree of lipid peroxidation, recovered the abnormal structure of the seminiferous tubules, and improved sperm parameters. Moreover, the DNA damages and mitochondrial membrane potential were improved in sperm. Our study confirmed that the ACEE has anti-inflammatory and ameliorative effects to prevent diabetes-induced male reproductive dysfunction.

Effect of Cistanche Tubulosa Extracts on Male Reproductive Function in Streptozotocin⁻Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes is a chronic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to decreased levels of insulin or the inefficiency of the tissue to use it effectively. Infertility is known as a major outcome of diabetes and affects the male reproductive system by causing sperm impairment and gonadal dysfunction. Cistanche tubulosa is a parasitic plant which has the capacity to improve memory, immunity, and sexual ability, reduce impotence, and minimize constipation. This study was focused on the investigation of the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of echinacoside (ECH) in Cistanche tubulosa extract (CTE) on the male reproductive system of the diabetic rats. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective effects of CTE were evaluated by both in vitro and in vivo methods. The in vitro results show that the ECH inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and improved StAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, and HSD17ß3 protein expression. The in vivo analysis was carried out with three doses of echinacoside (ECH) (80, 160, and 320 mg/kg) in CTE. In total, 0.571 mg/kg of rosiglitazone (RSG) was administered as a positive control. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg) and nicotinamide (230 mg/kg) in combination with a high-fat diet (45%). The in vivo studies confirmed that the ECH improved blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, and lipid peroxidation. It can restore kisspeptin 1 (KiSS1), G protein-coupled receptor GPR 54, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3), and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in the hypothalamus and recover sex hormone level. Thus, this study confirmed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and steroidogenesis effects of CTE.