AMELIORATIVE IMPACT OF PHYTOCHEMICAL FRACTIONS OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA LEAVE EXTRACTS ON MALE SEX HORMONE LEVELS AND TESTICULAR INTEGRITY IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC ALBINO WISTAR RATS.
*Bob I. A. Mgbeje, Flora O. Ugoanyanwu, Godwin O. Igile and Patrick E. Ebong
ABSTRACT
The structure and function of the testes, a major organ of reproduction, is altered by diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effect of methanol and butanol fractions of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) leaf extract on male sex hormone levels and testicular injury in diabetic rat testes. Forty-eight male albino Wistar rats weighing 150-200g were divided into eight groups of six rats each. Groups 1 and 2 served as normal and diabetic controls and received 0.5 ml dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) each. Group 3 received 5 IU/kg.bw of insulin while groups 4 were given 200mg/kg.bw crude extract. Groups 5-8 were given 75mg/kg.bw 30%, 50%, 100% methanol and butanol fraction respectively. Serum Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone level and histology of the
testes were analyzed after 28 days treatment period. The results showed a significant (p<.05) decrease in serum FSH, LH and testosterone concentrations in diabetic rats relative to those in normal control. The decreases were reversed towards normal in 30%, 50%.100% methanol and butanol fraction treated groups and crude extract at varying degrees with the 30% methanol and butanol fractions, on balance, showing a better overall ameliorative impact on all three hormones than other fractions. These results were confirmed by histological studies which presented damage on the testes and arrest of spermatogenesis in the diabetic control relative to normal control and reversal of damage in the groups treated with 30% methanol and butanol fractions possibly because of their antioxidant properties. Whilst the crude extract showed better amelioration, the results also suggest that the flavonoid-rich 30% methanol and saponin-rich butanol fractions may be a cost effective complement in the management of diabetes associated testicular damage.
Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina; Diabetes; Testicular damage; Lutenizing hormone, Follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone.
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