Effects of Tribulus terrestris Extract on Testicular Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in a Rat Model
J. H. Gomes Torres, M. T. Corrêa Leite, A. S. Oliveira, C. V. Razvickas, M. A. Gloria, B. G. Salomon, L. G. Freitas FilhoObjective
To evaluate the effects of Tribulus terrestris extract administered as pretreatment (TPr), posttreatment (TPo), or combined pre‐ and TPo (TPrPo) in a rat model of testicular ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury.
Methods
Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: TPr, TPo, combined TPrPo, and I/R control (IR). Left testicular torsion was induced for 2 h followed by detorsion. Animals were euthanized at 24 h, 14 days, or 56 days after reperfusion. Sperm parameters, histological findings, fibrosis, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated in ipsilateral and contralateral testes.
Results
TPo with T. terrestris significantly increased SOD activity in the ipsilateral testis during the early reperfusion phase (24 h) compared with all other experimental groups ( p < 0.001). Combined treatment demonstrated a transient improvement in ipsilateral sperm motility exclusively at the 24‐h time point, although no sustained differences were observed at 14 or 56 days after reperfusion. No statistically significant differences were identified in sperm concentration, Johnsen score, Cosentino score, fibrosis grading, or GSI among the treatment groups. Histological evaluation demonstrated persistent seminiferous tubule disorganization and germ cell loss despite the early enhancement of antioxidant activity.
Conclusion
Although T. terrestris enhanced antioxidant activity during early reperfusion, this biochemical effect did not translate into sustained histological preservation or improvement in sperm function. These findings indicate that T. terrestris provides a transient antioxidant response during early reperfusion but is insufficient as a standalone therapy for testicular I/R injury. Future studies should investigate combination therapies targeting multiple pathogenic mechanisms involved in I/R injury.