Raffia palm (Raphia hookeri) wine extenuates redox imbalance and modulates activities of glycolytic and cholinergic enzymes in hyperglycemia-induced testicular injury in type 2 diabetic rats.

This study investigated the effects of Raffia palm wine (RPW) on redox imbalance, glycolytic and cholinergic enzymes, and ATPase activities in hyperglycemia-induced oxidative testicular injury. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced in male albino rats (Sprague-Dawley) by first administering 10% fructose solution for 14 days, before injecting with an intraperitoneal injection (40 mg/kg body weight) of streptozotocin. Raffia palm wine was administered to two diabetic groups at 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight (bw), when untreated diabetic group was used as a negative control, and metformin-fed group was served as a positive control. The rats were sacrificed after 5 weeks of treatment, and testes were harvested. Treatment with RPW led to lower levels of nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase activity, with concomitant elevation of reduced glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, catalase and ATPase activities. Raffia palm wine also inhibited glycogen phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and acetylcholinesterase, while restoring the altered testicular morphology to near-normal. The results of this study suggest the therapeutic potentials of RPW against the effects of T2D on testicular functions and morphology. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Diabetes mellitus is one of the fastest growing global epidemy, with most developing countries being at the receiving end owing to the cost of treatment. Testicular damage has been recognized as one of the complications of diabetes, and if left untreated will lead to erectile dysfunction followed by infertility. Raffia palm wine is among the common natural beverage in West Africa, which is utilized for both social and medicinal purposes. In this study, for the first time we showed its ability to protect diabetes-induced testicular injury in type 2 diabetic rats. This may be of great benefit in managing diabetes associated erectly dysfunction and male infertility, as Raffia palm wine is readily available in all seasons. This study will also improve the medicinal use of this wine, which may also indirectly improve its commercial benefit.