Testicular oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with bitter melon (<i>Momordica charantia</i>): the effect of antioxidant supplementation

Authors

  • OE Yama Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos
  • FIO Duru Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos
  • AA Oremosu Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos
  • CC Noronha Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i2.7805

Keywords:

Momordica charantia, malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, testosterone

Abstract

Objective: An important mediator of testicular injury is oxidative stress; the implicating pathway has been pointed at a free radical mechanism by researchers. This article, investigates the effect of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) (MC) seed extract and antioxidant supplementation in the testes of Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rat.

Methodology: Ninety male S-D rats, weighing between 110- 214 g, were assigned randomly into six main Groups A to F. Group A was administered 50 mg/100 g of MC extract orally, between 6 to 16 weeks. Group B were pre-treated with ascorbic acid (AA) 0.01mg/kg, three days/week, α-tocopherol (AT) 20 mg/kg, five days/week and both test solutions (TS) i.e. AA and AT; 0.01 and 20 mg/kg, three and five days/week for 8 weeks. This was followed by administration of the extract at dose and duration as in A. Group C received the extract for 8 weeks and afterwards post-treated for another 8 weeks with AA, AT and both TS (as above). Group D in addition to the extract administration were treated with AA, AT and both TS in dose and duration similar to B above. Group E had AA, AT and both TS alone for 8 weeks. Group F served as the control subjects. The animals testicular tissues were processed for malondialdehyde (MDA) and AA concentrations. Serum testosterone (TT) assay was done from left ventricular blood.

Results: The extract administered for 6, 8 and 16 weeks produced significantly (p < 0.05) increased testicular MDA (1.74 ± 1.15, 1.84 ± 0.38 and 2.38 ± 0.40) compared to control (0.38 ± 0.02, 0.38 ± 0.03 and 0.35 ± 0.02) and decreased AA (0.01± 0.02, 0.01± 0.01 and 0.00± 0.01) compared to control (0.15 ± 0.02, 0.12 ± 0.02 and 0.13 ± 0.02). There was also an associated significant decrease (p < 0.05) in peripheral TT levels compared to control. The extract produced responses that showed no prophylactic rather modulatory effect with TS.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the extract resulted in changes in the testicular oxidative status. This may play a role in testicular dysfunction that may compromise fertility.

Key words: Momordica charantia; malondialdehyde; ascorbic acid; testosterone.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i2.7805

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.10 No.2 Apr’11 pp.104-111

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How to Cite

Yama, O., Duru, F., Oremosu, A., & Noronha, C. (2011). Testicular oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with bitter melon (<i>Momordica charantia</i>): the effect of antioxidant supplementation. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 10(2), 104–111. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i2.7805

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2011)

Section

Original Articles

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