Effect of Ficus deltoidea leaves extracts on sperm quality, LDH-C<inf>4</inf> activity and testosterone level in alloxan-induced male diabetic rats

Abstract

Ficus deltoidea is believed to have a reputation for reducing the risk of diabetes and heart diseases. Diabetes mellitus has been known for many decades to be often associated with infertility and sexual dysfunction in men. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the effects aqueous and ethanolic extract of Ficus deltoidea leaves have on the sperm quality, LDH-C 4 activity and testosterone level of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intravenous injection of alloxan monohydrate at dose of 150 mg/kg body weight. The concentration of fasting blood glucose was checked after two weeks to confirm the status of diabetes. The alloxan-induced diabetic rats were then orally treated with the aqueous and ethanolic extracts (800mg/kg) for four weeks. Metformin was used as a positive control in the study. The injection of alloxan monohydrate significantly decreased the sperm count, LDH-C 4 activity and testosterone level by 55.7%, 48.4% and 45.8% respectively. However, oral administration of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Ficus deltoidea leaves had significantly improved the sperm count, LDH-C 4 activity and testosterone concentration in diabetic rats. These treatments also significantly decreased the blood glucose levels and sperm abnormalities. We conclude that Ficus deltoidea has significant beneficial effects on the sperm count, motility, LDH-C4 enzyme and testosterone level and could be an effective treatment for maintaining healthy sperm parameters and male reproductive function in diabetic rats.

Effects of Common Fig (Ficus carica) Leaf Extracts on Sperm Parameters and Testis of Mice Intoxicated with Formaldehyde

“…After Fc administration, a significant increase in nonprogressive sperms was seen that may be due to antioxidant effects of Fc. These results were similar to results obtained by Samsulrizal et al that reported the positive effects of Ficus deltoidea leaf extracts on sperm motility in alloxan-induced male diabetic rats [ 37 ].…”

“…Another possible explanation for increase in the sperm count in Fc-treated mice may be due to the effects on the concentration of male sexual hormones. On a survey performed on rats, Samsulrizal et al reported that Ficus deltoidea has significant beneficial effects on the testosterone level, and sperm count in diabetic rats [ 37 ].…”

“…Samsulrizal et al observed the positive effects of Ficus deltoidea on the sperm motility, count, and testosterone level in diabetic rats. In their study, administration of Ficus deltoidea caused positive changes in maintaining healthy sperm parameters [ 37 ].…”

Ficus deltoideaJack: A Review on Its Phytochemical and Pharmacological Importance

“…Samsulrizal et al [ 32 ] conducted another similar study with the same result and they additionally considered lactate dehydrogenase C4 (LDH-C4), a specific isoenzyme in mammalian testes that plays a role in sperm capacitation. The effect of F. deltoidea on LDH-C4 activity was also seen positive for maintaining healthy sperm.…”

Efficacy of Ficus carica leaf extract on morphological and molecular behavior of mice germ stem cells

“…Fig (Ficus carica L.), from the Moraceae family, is one of the plants mainly used for this purpose (Trifunski and Ardelean, 2012;Naghdi et al, 2016). Antioxidant compounds are an important content in the leaf, pulp and skin of fig, with a higher amount in leaf, which play a key role in the elimination of free radicals (Oliveira et al, 2009;Aghel et al, 2011;Oh et al, 2011;Samsulrizal et al, 2011). Fig tree leaves has been used as a folk remedy for curing different disorders in Iranian traditional medicine described by Avicenna (Hashemi and Abediankenari, 2013).…”