Abstract:
Objective: A majority of the diabetic patients experience sexual dysfunction. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of allantoin on sexual dysfunction in diabetic rats. Methods: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: diabetic control group, diabetes + allantoin 100 mg/kg and diabetes + allantoin 200 mg/kg. Diabetic rats were treated with allantoin for 6 weeks and were assessed for its effect on sexual behavior, blood pressure, sperm count, sperm morphology, and levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, serum testosterone, and nitrite. Effects of treatment on diabetic rats were compared with diabetic control rats and normal healthy rats. Results: Diabetes decreased sexual behavior, sperm count and levels of serum testosterone and nitrite while increased blood pressure, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin and sperm defects in comparison to healthy rats. After a 6-week treatment period, there was a significant decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and blood pressure in the allantoin treatment groups when compared to diabetic control. Also, the rats treated with allantoin performed significantly well in sexual behavioural studies with a significant increase in body weight, sperm count, and levels of serum testosterone and nitrite compared to diabetic control. Conclusion: Oral administration of allantoin improves sexual function in diabetic rats by improving glycemic control and maintaining blood pressure. It also improves sexual function in diabetic rats by preventing the reduction in levels of nitrite and serum testosterone.
Key words: Sexual dysfunction in diabetes, Allantoin, Testosterone, Blood pressure, Sperm count.
