Effects of Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) Pulp on Serum Levels of Testosterone and Changes in Reproductive Organs in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Investigating the effects of colocynth pulp on levels of testosterone and changes in the reproductive system organs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: In this study, 32 Wistar rats were divided into four groups of normal (N), normal+colocynth pulp (N+C), diabetic control (D), and diabetic+colocynth pulp (D+C). Groups N and D received orally 2 mL normal saline for two weeks, and groups N+C and D+C received orally 10 mg/kg colocynth pulp for two weeks. Diabetes was induced in rats through intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Results: Group D showed a significant increase in glucose levels compared with Group N (P<0.0001), and testosterone levels, body weight, and reproductive organs weight ratio of group D decreased significantly compared with Group N (P<0.0001). In addition, a significant reduction in glucose level (P<0.01) and a significant increase in testosterone level and reproductive organs weight ratio (P<0.01) were observed in Group D+C in comparison to Group D. Conclusion: This study showed that consumption of 10 mg/kg colocynth for two weeks relatively improved glucose and testosterone levels as well as reproductive system damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.