Icariin protects testicular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through regulation of glycolysis pathway.

Objective: This study aims to investigate potential beneficial actions of icariin (ICA) on testicular spermatogenic function in male rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and to explore the underlying mechanisms. ICA was found to reduce blood glucose, regulate the endocrine function of the reproductive system, and improve testicular spermatogenic function.

Methods: Adult rats were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (65 mg/kg) to induce type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Podophyllotoxin Exposure Causes Spindle Defects and DNA Damage-Induced Apoptosis in Mouse Fertilized Oocytes and Early Embryos.

Podophyllotoxin (PPT) is a kind of lignans extracted from the roots and stems of the genus from the tiller family, and it has been widely used in the treatment of condyloma acuminatum, multiple superficial epithelioma in the clinics. However, PPT has been reported to be toxic and can cause liver defects and other organ poisoning. In addition, emerging evidences also indicate that PPT has reproductive toxicity and causes female reproduction disorders.