Moringa oleifera INCREASES SERUM LEVEL OF TESTOSTERONE AND GONADOTROPINS IN MALE ALBINO RATS
UCHECHUKWU HARRISON ORJI
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
EMMANUEL EMEKA ILODIGWE
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
PETER ACHUNIKE AKAH
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
MATHEW JEGBEFUME OKONTA
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
DANIEL LOTANNA AJAGHAKU *
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
CHIBUEZE PETER IHEKWEREME
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The use of leaf extract of M. oleifera in the management of chronic disease conditions like diabetes and hypertension has been documented, however; the safety of this extract on male fertility following prolonged administration seems not to have received adequate attention. We examined the effect of subchronic administration of the leaf extract on male rat reproductive system. Alloxan-induced hyperglycermia model was used in determining the antidiabetic ED50 dose. Serum testosterone, luteinizing, follicle stimulating, thyroid stimulating, prolactin and estradiol hormones were monitored. Cauda epididymal sperm count and testicular histology were analysed at the 91st day. The ED50 was 320 mg/kg. There were significant (p < 0.05) increases in testicular weight and sperm count in extract treated groups compared with control. Serum testosterone significantly (p < 0.05) increased from 4.26 ng/ml to 5.51 ng/ml in the ED50 group compared with the control that showed slight increase from 4.40 ng/ml to 4.73 ng/ml. Our findings also revealed significant (p < 0.05) elevation in serum gonadotropins and reduction in serum prolactin. Testicular photomicrograph showed increases in the numbers of sertoli and lydig cells in the extract treated groups. The leaf extract of M. oleifera was found to be safe and enhance male fertility.
Keywords: Moringa oleifera, male reproductive toxicity, diabetes, testosterone, sperm count