Ethanolic Seed Extract of Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Protects the Testis from Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Induced Damage

Abstract

Cucurbita pepo seeds are highly nutritional, containing a wide array of healthy compounds and free-radical scavenging antioxidants that have been found useful in promoting good health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of methanolic seed extract of Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) on Azadirachta Indica (neem) leaf induced testicular damage in adult male Albino Wistar rats. Twenty adult male albino wistar rats weighing between 110-230g were used, and assigned into 5 groups (I-V) of 4 animals each. Group I served as control. Groups II received 500mg/kg of ethanolic seed extract Cucurbita pepo (ESECP) for 5 weeks. Group III received 500mg/kg of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (MLEAI) for 2 weeks and then 500mg/kg of ESECP for 3 weeks. Group IV received a co-administration of 500mg/kg of MLEAI and 500mg/kg of ESECP for 5 weeks, while Group V received 500mg/kg of for 5 weeks. All extracts were administered orally, once a day. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the rats were anesthetised and blood samples and testes were obtained for further investigation. Results showed significant increases in serum testosterone levels, improvements in sperm parameters (count, motility, and morphology) and better testicular microarchitecture in ESECP treated rats when compared to rats treated with MLEAI alone. This reveals that ethanolic seed extract of Cucurbita pepo exhibits both protective and ameliorative activities against Azadirachta indica induced testicular damage in adult male albino wistar rats.

Keywords: Testosterone, Sperm count, Sperm motility, Sperm morphology