Garden Cress Seed Oil Abrogates Testicular Oxidative Injury and NF-kB-Mediated Inflammation in Diabetic Mice

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus is a systemic metabolic disorder with significant complications, including male reproductive dysfunction.
• Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes is a common model to study diabetes-related complications.
• Oxidative stress and inflammation are key mechanisms underlying diabetes-induced testicular damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of biologically active Lepidium sativum seed oil (LSO) against testicular dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic mice.
• To evaluate the effects of LSO on oxidative stress, inflammation, and testosterone levels in the testes of diabetic mice.

Main Methods:

• Adult male mice were divided into control, LSO-administered, diabetic (STZ-induced), and LSO-treated diabetic groups.
• LSO chemical composition was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
• Assessed serum testosterone, testicular antioxidants (CAT, SOD), oxidative stress marker (MDA), inflammatory markers (NF-kB, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α), NF-kB expression, and testicular histopathology.

Main Results:

• LSO was rich in γ-tocopherol (62.1%).
• LSO administration significantly increased testosterone levels in diabetic mice.
• LSO treatment ameliorated testicular oxidative damage, reduced inflammatory markers, and decreased NF-kB expression and activity compared to diabetic controls.

Conclusions:

• Lepidium sativum seed oil (LSO) demonstrates significant protective effects against STZ-induced testicular dysfunction.
• LSO may prevent diabetes-induced testicular impairment by inhibiting oxidative stress and NF-kB-mediated inflammatory pathways.
• LSO holds therapeutic potential for managing male reproductive complications associated with diabetes.