Gynura procumbens Improved Fertility of Diabetic Rats: Preliminary Study of Sperm Proteomic.

Khaidatul Akmar Kamaruzaman,Mahanem Mat Noor,Wan Mohd Aizat

doi:10.1155/2018/9201539

Khaidatul Akmar Kamaruzaman, Mahanem Mat Noor + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9201539

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Abstract

Gynura procumbens (GP) is a medicinal herb that has long been known as anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycaemic. Recently, this herbal extract has been associated with a profertility effect, suggesting its applicability in treating both diabetes and male infertility. In this study, the effects of GP aqueous extract (GPAE) on diabetic rats were investigated through evaluating testes histology and androgen hormone levels as well as the implantation sites of female rats on copulation with the treated male rats. Three dosages of GPAE were used (150, 300, and 450 mg/kg), and there were three control groups [normal, diabetic, and metformin-treated diabetic]. Testes histology, androgen hormone levels, and number of implantation sites of the GPAE-treated groups matched those of the normal group in contrast to the diabetic and metformin-treated diabetic controls. Sperm proteomics analysis identified 666 proteins, but only 88 were consistently found in all the control and 450-mg/kg GPAE-treated groups. Four proteins, including cysteine-rich secretory protein 1, carboxylesterase 5A, zona pellucida binding protein, and phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1, were significantly upregulated with GPAE treatment compared with the diabetic control, matching the protein levels of the normal group. These proteins were mainly involved in sperm maturation, sperm capacitation, and sperm-egg interaction, suggesting that GP treatment was able to restore the fertility of male diabetic rats at molecular protein level. In conclusion, GP treatment effectively treats infertility of male diabetic rats, possibly through the upregulation of proteins related to sperm maturation and sperm-egg interaction.

Highlights

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prominent public health problems in modern societies and is rapidly increasing, among those of reproductive age
Both luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were lower in the diabetic rats (0.017 ± 0.002 ng/mL and 0.020 ± 0.008 ng/mL, respectively) compared with the normal group (0.042 ± 0.002 ng/mL and 0.037 ± 0.008 ng/mL, respectively)
The impact of GP aqueous extract (GPAE) herbal treatment on diabetic rats was assessed in regard to the androgen hormone levels, testes histology, and fertilization as well as sperm protein level

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prominent public health problems in modern societies and is rapidly increasing, among those of reproductive age. According to Malaysia’s National Health and Morbidity Survey [1], approximately 17.5% of individuals aged 18–36 years have diabetes mellitus, which is equivalent to 3.5 million individuals in Malaysia. Diabetes has negative effects on the male reproductive system, including testicular function, sperm maturation, and sexual hormone alteration [2]. 80% of males with diabetes mellitus experience frequent loss of libido as well as erectile and sexual dysfunctions [3]. Diabetes has been shown to alter androgenic hormone levels, such as those of luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone [4]. An effective treatment is urgently needed to overcome both hyperglycemia and fertility problem in diabetic patients

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