Antioxidant effects of aqueous fruit extract of Ziziphus jujuba on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the rat testes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of aqueous fruit extract of Ziziphusjujuba on ethanol-induced oxidative stress and to examine its protective effects on sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity of male Wistar rats. Adult male rats (n = 28) were divided into four equal groups: the first group served as untreated controls, the second group of rats was given ethanol (4 g/kg), and group 3 received aqueous fruit extract of Z. jujuba (200 mg/kg). The final group of rats were supplemented by oral ingestion of ethanol (4 g/kg), which was preceded 60 min earlier by an oral administration of Z. jujuba extract (200 mg/kg). Fruit extract of Z. jujuba could prevent the reduction of concentration, motility and plasma membrane integrity of the sperm in treated rats with Z. jujuba extract plus ethanol (P