Scientific Validation of Ethnomedicinal Use ofIpomoea batatasL. Lam. as Aphrodisiac and Gonadoprotective Agent against Bisphenol A Induced Testicular Toxicity in Male Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.), known as “Shakarqandi” in Pakistan, is an imperative root vegetable with large size, traditionally used as aphrodisiac, antiprostatic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardiotonic, and anticancer agent. Present study was conducted to gauge aphrodisiac potential of Ipomoea batatas ethyl acetate (IPT-EA, IPA-EA) and methanol (IPT-M, IPA-M) extracts from tuber and aerial part, respectively, via behavioral and biochemical tests and their possible protective role in BPA-induced gonadotoxicity at the dose 300 mg/kg in male Sprague Dawley rats. Phytochemical analysis was done qualitatively and quantitatively through total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC-DAD) fingerprinting while antioxidant profiling used multimode in vitro assays. To calculate sexual excitement mount latency, intromission latency, mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculatory latency, and postejaculatory interval were examined while for biochemical ratification semen characteristics, levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol were measured. Gonadoprotective ability was assessed through comet assay and histomorphological examination of testes. Qualitative analysis ensured the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanin, saponins, coumarins, terpenoids, and betacyanin. Quantitatively maximal TPC (304.32±7.20 μg GAE/mg dry extract) and TFC (214.77±4.09 μg QE/mg DE) were estimated in IPA-EA extract. IPT-EA yielded maximum rutin (7.3±0.12) and myricetin (2.7±0.14 μg/mg DE) while IPA-EA and IPA-M yielded maximum caffeic acid (4.05±0.22 and 1.92±0.17 μg/mg DE, respectively) in HPLC-DAD analysis. Extracts enhanced sexual excitement, improved semen quality, levels of testosterone, FSH, LH, and estradiol, and successfully attenuated toxic effects of BPA. Levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, POD, and GSH) were restored and NO abundance was minimized. Significant stimulation in sexual behavior, amelioration of toxicity symptoms, elevated spermatic production, raised viability, vitalized levels of gonadal hormones, maintained endogenous enzymes, genoprotection, and reformed testicular histology endorsed I. batatas as a better aphrodisiac alternative and gonadoprotective agent.

Gonadoprotective ability ofVincetoxicum arnottianumextract against bisphenol A‐induced testicular toxicity and hormonal imbalance in male Sprague Dawley rats

“…The weight of the body and testes was appreciably decreased in BPA‐intoxicated rats. The results obtained are similar to reported earlier (Majid et al, 2019). Co‐administration of VAM ameliorated the toxicity of BPA and increased the weight of the body and testes of rat.…”

Bisphenol A and Its Analogues Deteriorate the Hormones Physiological Function of the Male Reproductive System: A Mini-Review

“…In contrast, several previous studies have reported a decrease in the FSH and LH levels in the blood of adult male rats when exposed to various dosages of BPA ranging from 25 mg/kg/bw to 200 mg/kg/bw either via oral gavage or intraperitoneal injection [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 80 ]. A similar finding was also shown in rats who were exposed to BPA analogues.…”

“…Furthermore, these chemicals also have the ability to disturb gene expression, such as Kiss1 and CYP19A1, which are involved in the HPG axis and steroidogenesis, respectively [ 63 ]. Recently, the effects of BPA and its analogues on these three significant pathways, in the form of the HPG axis [ 56 , 59 , 62 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ], steroidogenesis [ 55 , 56 , 59 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ], and spermatogenesis outcomes [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 ]...…”

Alleviating impact of hydroethanolicMurraya koenigiileaves extract on bisphenol A instigated testicular lethality and apoptosis in mice

“…This may be due to the antioxidant property of HEMKLE as reported by Ningappa et al (). Similar observations were also reported with other phytoextracts having high antioxidant activity such as garlic (Anuradha & Devi, ), green tea (Sharma & Goyal, ) and sweet potato (Majid et al, ).…”