Crocin Ameliorates Testicular Damage in Type 1 Diabetic Rats: Role of Akt‐Mediated Nrf‐2 Activation

Diabetes, a prevalent global concern, leads to severe complications, with an increasing number of diabetic individuals each year. Reproductive function disorders and infertility associated with diabetes primarily arises due to oxidative stress and germ cells loss. Studies have revealed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties of crocin. Crocin effectively scavenges free radicals and shields cells against oxidative stress damage. In our study, we aimed to investigate the potential protective effects and pathways of crocin on diabetic testicular damage induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. In our study, results indicated that crocin reduces diabetes-associated testicular tissue damage, diminishes oxidative stress, and enhances spermatogenesis. Crocin exhibited antiglycemic effects in diabetic rats and demonstrated antioxidant effects in testicular tissue. These protective effects were found to occur by stimulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes through the Akt mediated Nrf-2 pathway. These findings significantly contribute to understanding the potential therapeutic effects of crocin, particularly as a protective agent against reproductive dysfunction associated with diabetes.