## 4 Discussion
This results in fat accumulation and it is considered as the major sign of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia [36]. Our study showed a decrease in the adipocyte diameter at higher concentrations (Figure 2 and Table 1) of EPE extract. Low hormone levels under obese conditions may depend upon certain factors such as secretion, metabolism, alterations in their transport, and/or action at target tissues [37]. Adipose tissue contains an enzyme called aromatase, which is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to estradiol. This may result in the inhibition of the HPG axis by hypothalamus estrogen receptors [27]. In Figure 3, it can be seen that EPE was efficient to increase the level of testosterone. In addition to this, the weights of testes and epididymis were also improved (Table 2). The lower level of antioxidants in the body is the major sign of higher ROS content and oxidative stress. A previous study mentioned that mature adipocyte size, adipocyte differentiation, and preadipocyte proliferation can be accelerated by oxidative stress [38]. Superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide (H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\)), singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide radical, etc., are some of the free radicals that actively participate in the contribution of oxidative stress. These kinds of radicals actively attach biological molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and finally cause cell damage [39]. Antioxidants such as GPx, catalase, and SOD are capable of neutralizing free radicals. SOD catalyzes superoxide dismutase into H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\) and oxygen, whereas catalase and GPx neutralize H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\)[40]. From Figure 4, it can be seen that EPE can increase the production of antioxidants and thereby can decrease ROS generation. The reaction between ROS and lipids is called lipid peroxidation and MDA is known as the biomarker for lipid peroxidation. MDA is obtained from the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and arachidonic acid [41]. Our results have shown that the MDA level was decreased in both sperm and testicular tissue after treatment with EPE extract. The literature stated that under obese conditions, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is stimulated and causes the overproduction of NO. This action depends upon the abdominal fat distribution and insulin resistance [42]. An NBTassay was used to quantify neutrophil function and cellular oxidative metabolism. The principle behind the NBT assay is the reduction in NBT into formazan crystals by the superoxide anion present in the biological sample [43]. From Figure 6, it can be seen that EPE was able to reduce NO and superoxide production. TNF-\(\alpha\) is a proinflammatory cytokine and is capable of affecting lipid metabolism and insulin signals [44]. It suppresses the storage and uptake of nonesterified fatty acids and glucose in addition to adipogenesis and lipogenesis. It also increases the expression of IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels, and nerve growth factor [45]. The literature mentions that the levels of IL-6 can be observed in higher obese conditions. Our results also support this statement [46]. Both TNF-\(\alpha\) and IL-6 are produced by the macrophages present in the adipose tissue and regulate the proliferation and proliferation and apoptosis of adipocytes promotes lipolysis, inhibits lipid synthesis, and decreases blood lipids [47]. The levels of AST and ALT, which are known markers of liver diseases, can be used to identify said diseases. Under obese conditions, triglycerides are accumulated in hepatocytes due to the imbalance between uptake, synthesis, export, and oxidation of free fatty acids [48]. AST is an enzyme responsible for catalyzing the transamination reaction [49]. The literature states that ALT to AST is important in the prediction of metabolic disease, insulin resistance, and fatty liver [50]. Urea is known as the biomarker of protein metabolism.