ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Ameliorative Effect of Aqueous-acetone Extract of Raphia Sudanica Mesocarp on Streptozotocin – Induced Oxidative Stress and Testicular Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Background; Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to defect in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. The present study aims to investigate the effects of 80% aqueous- acetone-extract of Raphia sudanica on streptozotocin induced diabetic male rats.

A total of 25 adult male Wistar rats weighing between 200g and 250g were used in the study, The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control (nc), diabetic control, and diabetic rats treated orally with 100mg and 200mg kg/mg body weight. And 5mg/kg glibenclamide for 28 days. A single dose of 40mg/kg STZ was administered intraperitonially to induce diabetes. Oxidative makers, relative reproductive organ weights and sperm parameters were assessed.

Results; The result revealed the presence of phytochemicals (alkaloids, phenols flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycoside, reducing sugars, terpenoids, saponins and volatile oils while steroids were not detected). The result showed a significant p<0.05 improvement in SOD, CAT, and GPx in treated groups and a reduction in MDA level as compared to diabetic control group. Furthermore, the extract of Raphia sudanica improved sperm count, viability, motility, and increased the reproductive organs weights as compared to the untreated diabetic group.

Conclusion; The results indicated that Raphia sudanica extract has ameliorative effects on oxidative damage and reproductive dysfunction in male diabetic Wistar rats.