Evaluation of the Concurrent Protective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and Vitamin E on Ultrasonographic Indices, Oxidative Stress Parameters, and Antioxidant Gene Expression (SOD and CAT) in a Testicular Ischemia–Reperfusion Model in Rats

Yousefi, Kambiz; Farid, Mahdi; Moghtadaei Khorasgani, Elham; Yadegari, Mehrdad

doi:10.48307/FMSJ.2026.30.1.28

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Volume 30, Issue 1 (Bimonthly 2026)

Feyz Med Sci J 2026, 30(1): 28-40

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Evaluation of the Concurrent Protective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and Vitamin E on Ultrasonographic Indices, Oxidative Stress Parameters, and Antioxidant Gene Expression (SOD and CAT) in a Testicular Ischemia–Reperfusion Model in Rats

Kambiz Yousefi

, Mahdi Farid

, Elham Moghtadaei Khorasgani ^*

, Mehrdad Yadegari

, Moghtadaiee@gmail.com

Abstract: (699 Views)

Background and Aim: Testicular torsion represents a major urological emergency that leads to testicular ischemia due to interruption of blood supply, resulting in severe tissue damage. Reperfusion following detorsion further exacerbates injury through excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and downregulation of antioxidant genes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). This study aimed to evaluate the concurrent effects of hydroalcoholic extract of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and vitamin E on ultrasonographic parameters, oxidative stress status, testosterone levels, and antioxidant gene expression in a rat testicular ischemia-reperfusion model.
Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: negative control, ischemia–reperfusion (positive control without treatment), lemongrass extract-treated, vitamin E-treated, and combined treatment group. Ultrasonographic parameters, including echogenicity, resistive index (RI), and testicular volume, were assessed using color Doppler ultrasonography (Medison SA-8000) on days 1 and 21. Biochemical parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), CAT activity, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), SOD activity, and testosterone levels, were measured using spectrophotometric, enzymatic, and ELISA methods. In addition, SOD and CAT gene expression levels were evaluated using real-time PCR.
Results: Concurrent administration of lemongrass extract and vitamin E significantly improved ultrasonographic parameters. The RI decreased from 0.86 ± 0.01 to 0.58 ± 0.01, echogenicity improved from 3.00 ± 0.00 to 2.00 ± 0.63, and testicular volume increased from 77.32 ± 3.41 to 122.95 ± 2.39 mm³ (P < 0.001). Moreover, SOD and CAT gene expression levels increased by 1.7-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively, compared with the control group. MDA and GGT levels were significantly reduced, whereas TAC and testosterone levels showed a marked increase (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The concurrent administration of hydroalcoholic lemongrass extract and vitamin E exerts significant protective effects against testicular ischemia–reperfusion injury. These effects are likely mediated through attenuation of oxidative stress and upregulation of antioxidant gene expression, thereby preventing tissue damage and preserving testicular function.

Keywords: Lemongrass, Vitamin E, Testicular torsion, Ischemia–reperfusion, Oxidative stress, Testosterone

Full-Text [PDF 619 kb] (44 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: medicine, paraclinic
Received: 2025/09/18 | Revised: 2026/04/19 | Accepted: 2025/12/9 | Published: 2026/03/15

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‎ 10.48307/FMSJ.2026.30.1.28

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Yousefi K, Farid M, Moghtadaei Khorasgani E, Yadegari M. Evaluation of the Concurrent Protective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and Vitamin E on Ultrasonographic Indices, Oxidative Stress Parameters, and Antioxidant Gene Expression (SOD and CAT) in a Testicular Ischemia–Reperfusion Model in Rats. Feyz Med Sci J 2026; 30 (1) :28-40
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