OXIDATIVE STRESS MITIGATION AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION RESTORATION VIA COSTUS AFER IN DIABETIC MICE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjmhs.v5i3.212Keywords:
diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, reproductive dysfunction, costus afer, streptozotocin, antioxidant enzymesAbstract
Diabetes mellitus has consistently been a chronic metabolic disorder that is strongly linked with disorders of the male reproductive system. This disorder is commonly due to oxidative stress–induced testicular damage. Persistent hyperglycaemia has been well documented as one factor that promotes the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that leads to lipid peroxidation, antioxidant depletion, and impaired spermatogenesis. This study examined the oxidative stress–mediated reproductive dysfunction and the modulatory role of hydromethanolic leaf extract of Costus afer in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Thirty (30) adult male Swiss albino mice were allocated into five groups (n = 6) using random samoling technique. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally using streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were orally given either metformin (100 mg/kg) or hydromethanolic leaf extract of C. afer (200 and 400 mg/kg) for a duration of 28 days. Fasting blood glucose was monitored, while testicular malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assessed spectrophotometrically. Sperm count, motility, morphology, serum testosterone, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes resulted in persistent hyperglycemia, significantly elevated MDA levels, reduced antioxidant enzyme activities, decreased sperm count and motility, increased abnormal sperm morphology, and reduced testosterone concentrations (p < 0.05). Treatment with hydromethanolic leaf extract of C. afer significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, attenuated lipid peroxidation, restored antioxidant enzyme activities, improved sperm quality, increased testosterone levels, and ameliorated histopathological alterations in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05), with the 400 mg/kg dose demonstrating effects comparable to metformin. Hydromethanolic leaf extract of C. afer effectively relieves oxidative stress–mediated reproductive dysfunction in diabetic mice. The findings provide experimental evidence supporting its antioxidant-driven protective role and highlight its potential as an adjunct therapeutic candidate in the management of diabetes-associated male infertility.
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