Evaluation of effectiveness of oleanolic acid in rat testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury model.

Following testicular ischemia, the return of blood circulation promotes reactive oxygen species formation. By damaging cellular components such as proteins, DNA and lipids, reactive oxygen species negatively affect testicular spermatogenic function. Numerous plant species, particularly those within the Oleaceae family, contain oleanolic acid as a principal active ingredient. Extensive research has confirmed oleanolic acid's efficacy in exerting antioxidant action. We examined the therapeutic potential of oleanolic acid in mitigating testicular damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats. The study included three groups, each comprising twenty male rats: a sham group, an ischemia-reperfusion group, and an ischemia-reperfusion group treated with oleanolic acid (30 mg/kg). Left testicular torsion of 720 degrees counterclockwise, maintained for 2 hours, induced testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury. After surgical detorsion of the left testis, the ischemia-reperfusion + oleanolic acid group was treated immediately with a single 30 mg/kg dose of oleanolic acid via intraperitoneal injection. Multiple analytical procedures were performed on testicular tissues collected from the three rat groups. Biochemical measurements encompassed both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity (critical for reactive oxygen species production) and malondialdehyde concentration (a reactive oxygen species indicator). We used hematoxylin-eosin staining for the evaluation of spermatogenic function in testicular tissue. Relative to the sham group, the ischemia-reperfusion group exhibited significantly elevated NADPH oxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels in ipsilateral testes, accompanied by impaired spermatogenic function (p<0.05). Oleanolic acid intervention effectively suppressed oxidative stress markers (NADPH oxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels) in ipsilateral testes, relatively enhancing spermatogenic capacity (p<0.05). Overall, oleanolic acid enhances testicular spermatogenic function by lowering NADPH oxidase activity and curbing reactive oxygen species formation.