Evaluating the Antioxidant Potential of Epimedium grandiflorum in a Rat Model of Cryptorchidism: Reducing Malondialdehyde and Enhancing Antioxidant Enzymes

Background: Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital malformations of the male genital organs. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Epimedium grandiflorum on the testes of rats with cryptorchidism. Methods: Wistar rats were divided into healthy control, sham, cryptorchidism, and cryptorchidism treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of E. grandiflorum. Unilateral cryptorchidism was induced in rats through surgery. The hydro-ethanolic extract of E. grandiflorum was prepared by drying the leaves of E. grandiflorum at a temperature of 24 °C. The obtained powder was mixed with 80% ethanol. Treatment groups received E. grandiflorum daily through oral gavage for 7, 14, and 28 days. The expression levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were examined. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were used to study pathological changes. Results: In rats treated with E. grandiflorum (400 mg/kg for 28 days), the highest decrease in MDA (P<0.0001) and increase in SOD and GPx (P<0.0001) were observed compared to the cryptorchidism group. Testis were seen with high normal spermatocytes in seminiferous tubules, and the highest spermatocyte count in rats treated with 400 mg/kg of E. grandiflorum. By reducing MDA and increasing SOD and GPx, the high antioxidant properties of E. grandiflorum lead to the control of oxidative stress in the testes of cryptorchid rats. Conclusion: E. grandiflorum can control tissue level, severe destruction of sperm tubes, reduction of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and ultimately infertility, and increase of spermatocytes. Therefore, it can be an essential therapeutic intervention as an antioxidant compound in cryptorchidism.