Scientific African (Jul 2023)
Assessment of sperm quality in Plasmodium berghei NK65 infected mice treated with brimstone (Morinda lucida Benth) tree plant
Abstract
Malaria fever is a common infection in Nigeria while the uncontrolled usage of synthesized anti-malarial drugs might have contributed to the ineffectiveness of the male reproductive hormones and the sperm quality in humans. Brimstone plant called “Oruwo” by Yoruba tribe in Nigeria has been used locally for the treatment of symptomatic malaria with no information of its effect on sperm quality. This study sought to evaluate the anti-plasmodial activity, reproductive hormones and sperm quality of the aqueous extracts on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65. Adult male mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65 while infection was confirmed after 72 h.The mice were divided into 5 groups [group A control, group B infected and treated with 2.5mgkg/bwt chloroquine (standard drug), group C infected without treatment while groups D and E were given 200 and 400mg/kg btw of the extracts respectively]. The treatment was orally administered daily for 7 days and the parasitemia level was checked after which the mice were sacrificed and the semen collected for sperm characteristics [sperm count, sperm viability, sperm morphology and sperm motility] while the right testis was used for the in-vivo antioxidant assays The blood serum was used to assess reproductive hormones such as [serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)] using standardized methods. The results reveal that treatment of Morinda lucida caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum testosterone and a decrease in LH, FSH levels in a dose-dependent manner as well as an increase in sperm count, motility and viability with a significant restoration of sperm morphology as seen in the histopathology plate. This observation might be due to the properties of the plant polyphenolic compounds identified. In conclusion, this study was able to prove that Morinda lucida used in folk-lore medicine to treat symptomatic malaria also improves sperm functions better than synthetic drugs and could be further explored as a natural product in the pharma industry.
