Fereshteh Ostovan - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
Ali Gol - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
Abdolreza Javadi - Pathology Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: In Iranian traditional medicine, Rydingia persica (R.P) is commonly used to treat diabetes mellitus (DM). Objective: We assessed the protective effects of R.P against testis and epididymis oxidative stress and the hormonal changes induced by DM. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats (۱۲ wk old) weighing ۲۳۰-۲۷۰ gr were divided into five groups (n = ۸/each): ۱. Control (C); ۲. diabetic (D); ۳. diabetic + R.P۲۰۰ (D+R۲۰۰); ۴. diabetic + R.P۴۰۰ (D+R۴۰۰); and ۵. diabetic + R.P۶۰۰ (D+R۶۰۰). Groups C and D received ۲ ml of normal saline orally daily for two wk and groups D+R۲۰۰, D+R۴۰۰, and D+R۶۰۰ received ۲۰۰, ۴۰۰, and ۶۰۰ mg/kg body weight of R.P powder, respectively, orally daily for two wk. DM was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at ۶۰ mg/kg body weight. We assessed malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, hydrogen peroxide, and glutathione in both the testis and epididymis and also the histological changes of the testis. Results: Diabetic rats showed a significantly increased and decreased level of oxidant and antioxidant factors, respectively, and a significantly lower level of serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone than the control group. In the histological study of the testis, deteriorations were observed. Treatment with R.P reversed these changes toward the state of the control group with the highest effectiveness shown by group D+R۶۰۰. Conclusion: The data obtained suggest that R.P powder has antioxidant effects on testis and epididymis tissues in diabetic rats and that it improves histological testicular structure in diabetics. It can also correct testosterone and luteinizing hormone changes induced by DM.  

Diabetes mellitus, Rydingia persica, Oxidative stress, Reproductive, Testosterone., دیابت شیرین, Rydingia Persica, استرس اکسیداتیو, تولید مثل, تستوسترون.