Therapeutic effects of Salvia balansae on metabolic disorders and testicular dysfunction mediated by a high-fat diet in Wistar rats

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mekki, Siham^{a; 1} | Belhocine, Mansouria^a | Bouzouina, Mohamed^b | Chaouad, Billel^{c; d; *} | Mostari, Abassia^e

Affiliations: [a] Laboratory of Sciences and Technics of Animal Production (LSTPA), University of Mostaganem, Mostaganem, Algeria | [b] Laboratory of Plant Protection, University of Mostaganem, Mostaganem, Algeria | [c] Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Extracellular Matrix, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers, Algeria | [d] Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences and Earth Sciences, Khemis Miliana University, Khemis Miliana, Algeria | [e] Laboratory of Geo-Environment and spaces development, University Mustpha Stamboli of Mascara, BP 305 SidiSaid, Mascara, Algeria

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Billel Chaouad, E-mail: b.chaouad@univ-dbkm.dz; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9223-2938

Note: [1] ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7719-9204

Abstract: Medicinal plants offer an important therapeutic resource in treatment of male infertility. We aim to evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of Salvia balansae on metabolic disorders and testicular dysfunction resulting from a high-fat diet (HFD). Antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of S. balansae leaves was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay. Antidiabetic activity was determined by α-amylase inhibition. In vivo, HFD was administered in Wistar rats for 18 weeks and aqueous extract of S. balansae for the last 6 weeks (200 mg/Kg of body weight/day). At the term of experimentation, testosterone and some plasma parameters were analyzed and removed testes were subjected to a histomorphometric study. Our results show high levels of phenolic components in aqueous extract of S. balansae and significant antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. HFD increases body weight, causes type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, liver failure and inflammation. Also, HFD decreases testosterone and alters testis histological structure (seminiferous tubular degeneration, impaired spermatogenesis and interstitial fibrosis). Treatment of HFD rats with extract of S. balansae normalizes body weight and plasma parameters, increases testosterone and regenerates testicular structure and function. In summary, S. balansae could reduce metabolic complications induced by HFD and serve the basis for developing a new therapy for testicular dysfunction.

Keywords: High-fat diet, Salvia balansae, antidiabetic, antioxidant, testicular dysfunction

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-220094

Journal: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 21-39, 2023