ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of aqueous fruit extract of Ziziphus jujuba 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<0.05]. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities significantly increased in the animals ingested with Z. jujuba extract prior to ethanol compared to the ethanol group. Decrease of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] level was statistically significant in the animals that ingested the fruit extract of Z. jujuba prior to ethanol compared to the ethanol group [P<0.05]. Our findings suggest that aqueous fruit extract of Z. jujuba possesses beneficial effects on ethanol-induced sperm toxicity, subsequently enhancing sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity