Sex hormones and oxidative stress biomarkers of male Wistar rats treated with Moringa oleifera seed fractions.

Olawale Olaleye Obembe

doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20190047

Abstract

Objective:Aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera seeds have been reported to exert male reproductive toxicity. To elucidate the spermatoxic constituents, methanol and hexane fractions of Moringa seeds were administered to male rats.Methods:Methanol or hexane fractions (50 and 100 mg/kg) of Moringa seeds were administered orally to male rats for six weeks, while a control group concurrently received the vehicle. Thereafter, sperm profiles were examined on a microscope while sex hormones and antioxidants levels were measured from serum samples.Results:The methanol fraction of Moringa seeds significantly decreased testosterone, luteinizing hormone, sperm motility, and sperm count of treated rats when compared with controls. The hexane fraction of Moringa seeds had no effect on sex hormones or sperm profiles. Both methanol and hexane fractions significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase levels, while malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly.Conclusion:The methanol fraction - but not the hexane fraction - of Moringa oleifera seeds induced male reproductive toxicity. By its turn, the hexane fraction had a higher antioxidant effect.

Highlights

Male infertility and impaired fecundity is a growing global health concern
Reports on the toxic effects of some medicinal plants on male reproductive physiology leading to infertility abound in the literature
Extraction of Moringa seeds Pods of M. oleifera seeds were collected from a plant located in an open field in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Summary

Introduction

Male infertility and impaired fecundity is a growing global health concern. An estimated 8-12% of couples have experienced some form of infertility, with causative factors in about 40% of the cases being traced back exclusively to the male partner of the couple (Kumar & Singh, 2015). Male infertility commonly results from interference with testicular spermatogenesis stemmed from environmental, behavioral, or genetic factors (Ito et al, 2004). Recent studies have indicated that causative agents of this interference arise from environmental and dietary sources. Medicinal plants have been beneficial to mankind and have been used use as adjuvant or therapeutic agents in the treatment of various diseases. Reports on the toxic effects of some medicinal plants on male reproductive physiology leading to infertility abound in the literature. The antimalarial and antibiotic properties of Quassia amara (Ajaiyeoba & Krebs, 2003), Alstonia boonei (Iyiola et al, 2011; Ajayi et al, 2015), and Bulchhozia coriacea seeds (Mbata et al, 2009; Okoli et al, 2010), to name a few, have been reported alongside their antisteroidogenic and antifertility properties (Raji & Bolarinwa, 1997; Raji et al, 2005; Obembe et al, 2012)

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Conclusion