Effect of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves on the number of spermatogenic cells and Leydig cells of gentamicin-induced rats

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of the administration of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves on the number of spermatogenic and Leydig cells of gentamicin-induced rats (Rattus norvegicus). This study used 25 white male rats divided randomly into five groups. The rats were injected with Gentamicin 5 mg/kg bw/day subcutaneously for 14 days, except for the negative control group (NCG). During the next 14 days, the rats were given oral moringa leaf extract of 200, 316, and 500 mg/kg bw/day respectively for E200, E316, and E500 groups. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's test. The results showed that the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids in NCG was higher (p <0.05) than in the other groups. The number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids in the E316 group was higher (p <0.05) than in PCG. The number of spermatogonia in the E500 group was higher (p <0.05) than in the E316 group, but the number of spermatocytes and spermatids in the E316 group was similar (p >0.05) to the E500 group. The number of PCG Leydig cells was the smallest (p <0.05) compared to the other groups. The administration of Moringa leaves extract in the E200 and E316 groups increased (p <0.05) the number of Leydig cells compared to PCG. The number of Leydig PCG cells in the E500 group was not significantly different (p >0.05) from that of the NCG. It could be concluded that administration of Moringa oleifera leaves extract restored the number of spermatogenic and Leydig cells of gentamicin-induced rats.