CHLOROFORM FRACTION OF Ocimum gratissimum (LINN) LEAF EXTRACT EXERTS CYTOPROTECTIVE AND MEMBRANE-STABILIZING POTENTIALS ON PLUMBAGIN-INDUCED INFERTILITY IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Background: The use of medicinal plants in combating infertility has been a traditional practice in enhancing male reproductive performance.

Objectives: This research was proposed to assess the impact of chloroform fraction of Ocimum gratissimum (CFOG) leaf extracts on sperm function, antioxidants status and histopathology in plumbagin-initiated male Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty rats were categorized into four groups (n=5) as follows: normal control as well as sterile control were administered water (groups 1 and 2 respectively); plumbagin-induced sterile rats treated with 100mg/kg CFOG leaf extract and 400mg/kg CFOG (groups 3 and 4 respectively) through gavaging for fourteen days.

Results: 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of CFOG notably increased the total antioxidant capacity, glutathione reduced levels alongside superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in a dose-reliant pattern but prevented plumbagin-mediated increase in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, CFOG significantly enhanced the sperm parameters of the sterile rats and fostered cytoprotection as evident in the histology of the testes of the CFOG-administered rats. A significant rise was noticed in the estradiol and testosterone levels in CFOG–treated rats compared to the sterile control.

Conclusion: Therefore, it could be inferred that Ocimum gratissimum leaf possesses a capacity to mitigate plumbagin-induced male reproductive dysfunction owing to its ability to boost the antioxidant capacity of the cells and reverse spermatocellular damage.