Effect of Active Fraction of Physalis angulata Extract on p53, mRNA of CYP11A1, 17β-HSD3, FSHR, and MTA2 expressions on testes of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) can damage testicles through oxidative stress. Active fraction of Physalis angulata L contains flavonoids that have antioxidant effects. This study aimed to examine the effect of active fraction of P. angulata on p53 protein and mRNA expressions of CYP11A1, 17β-HSD3, FSHR, MTA2, spermatogenesis, and steroidogenesis in the testes isolated from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The 25 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. Group control (CMC 0.5%, K) and untreated DM (K-DM), and 3 groups induced with DM were treated with active fraction (KP) at various doses {8.5 mg/kg (KP-1); 34 mg/kg, (KP-2); 136 mg/kg (KP-3). Expression of p53 protein was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The number of Leydig and Sertoli cells was counted from testes stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). The mRNA expression of CYP11A1, 17β-HSD3, FSHR, and MTA2 was analyzed using quantitative PCR (qPCR). The p53 expression in groups treated active fraction (KP) were lower than K-DM groups and near similar with K group. The KP-3 has the lowest p53 expression among treated groups. The number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in K and KP groups were significantly higher compared to DM group (p<0.05). mRNA expression of CYP11A1, 17β-HSD3, FSHR, and MTA2 were insignificantly higher in K and KP compared to DM groups (p>0.05). Active fraction of P. angulata extract has potential protective effect on testes of diabetic rats.