Forced swimming stress disrupts testicular steroidogenesis by inhibiting ∆53β and 17β-HSD enzymes, its protective effect by ethanolic extract of Smilax china Linn.

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the ethanolic extract of Smilax china Linn. in treating male reproductive dysfunctions induced by forced swimming in rats. Animals of the experimental group except vehicle control were subjected to forced swimming stress (FSS) 15 min/day for 52 days. Animals were treated with 100 mg/kg b.w and 200 mg/kg b.w with ethanolic extract of Smilax china rhizomes for 67 days and from day 16, animals were subjected to forced swimming for 15 min/day half an hour after administration of the extract. Assessment of its effectiveness was done by physical, biochemical, hormonal, testicular enzymes and supported by histopathological studies. Ethanolic extract of Smilax china (EESC) rhizomes at doses 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg b.w showed a significant changes (p<0.001) in the weight of body, testes, seminal vesicles adrenal gland, serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides levels, testicular ∆⁵3β-HSD,17β-HSD enzymes, plasma testosterone. Histopathological studies also showed adrenal gland with partially intact histoarchitecture at 100 mg/kg b.w and normal intact histoarchitecture at 200 mg/kg b.w. Testis showed spermatogonia with normal in number and size, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa were considerably increased in number at 100 mg/kg b.w and normal intact architecture at 200 mg/kg b.w. Ethanolic extract of Smilax china rhizomes at both doses showed good protection against forced swimming induced male reproductive dysfunctions in rats.