The Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Kudzu Root on the Sex Hormones of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Male Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of the metabolism and endocrine system in the body. The disease is prevalent in all parts of the world and is rapidly increasing. One of the serious damage caused by diabetes is sexual dysfunction and sex hormones reduction, so the researchers always have been trying to find a way to reduce the symptoms of diabetes. The use of herbs is one of the most reliable methods with minimal side effects. Kudzu is a semi-woody, perennial grape like plant that is native to South East Asia that dried root of it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of fever, bloody diarrhea, ardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.The aim of this experiment research was the study of effects of alcoholic extract of the kudzu root on the sex hormones of diabetic male rats. Twenty seven male Wistar rats weighing 220-230 grams were purchased from Amol Pasteur Institute of Iran. Animals were randomly divided into three groups: Control (healthy) group (n=9), the second group was sham (diabetic) that no diabetic rats receiving the extract and the experimental group (or treatment group) that were diabetic rats recieved the ethanolic extract of Kudzu root. Then, the sham and treated groups were being diabetic by 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Then 100 mg/kg of kudzu root extract was injected intraperitoneally to the experimental group. Measuring the weight and volume of testis, blood glucose of serum, insulin, testosterone, FSH and LH were measured. The results showed that treatment with alcoholic extract of kudzu root in diabetic rats leading to reduce the blood sugar and relative increase in insulin, testosterone, FSH and LH hormones in diabetic rats.