Sex hormones, antioxidants and lipid profile of aqueous Cucumis sativus L. (cucumber) treated male rats

Background: Cucumis sativus (cucumber) is regarded as a healthy fruit because of the beneficial effects of its phytochemical constituents. However, there is a deficit of information about its effect on male reproductive physiology. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of C. sativus (AECS) on male reproductive hormones, oxidative stress biomarkers, and lipid profile. Materials and Methods: Ten male rats were randomly assigned into two (control and treated) groups (n = 5). In the treated group, a single dose of AECS (500 mg/kg) was administered daily for 6 weeks and thereafter sacrificed under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia. Blood was collected and analyzed for sex hormones, antioxidants, and lipid profile markers. The testicular homogenate was also analyzed for antioxidants. Results: The AECS increased (P < 0.05) serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels (4.43 ± 0.34 and 7.50 ± 1.31, respectively) when compared with the control. Also, testicular catalase and serum level of high-density lipoprotein were increased (27.45 ± 0.19 and 30.08 ± 5.22, respectively) (P < 0.05), whereas serum low-density lipoprotein decreased (72.79 ± 9.56) (P < 0.05) in the extract treated rats. However, serum antioxidant levels were not affected. Conclusions: AECS is beneficial to male reproductive physiology evidenced by improved lipid profile and hormonal indices. Also, the integrity of the testicular redox profile was well maintained.