Reproductive Parameters in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats: Beneficial Role of Basella Alba Aqueous Leave Extract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is widely reported to have adverse effect on most systems of the body. This study investigated the effects of DM on male reproductive parameters and possible role of aqueous leave extract from Basella alba in ameliorating such effects. Methods: Male rats (n = 40) aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: Healthy Control (HC), Diabetic Control (DC), Healthy Treatment (HT) and Diabetic Treatment (DT). Diabetes was induced in animal by using (STZ single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), (55 mg/kg). Treatment was oral via gavage HC  and DC groups received 0.5 ml/100 g normal saline daily via oral gavage, HT  and  DT groups received 200 mg/kg plant extract daily for 4 weeks. Fasting blood sugar and body weights were recorded weekly. Animals were sacrificed upon completion of treatments and tissues were collected for further analysis. Results: There was significant decrease in weights of the body, testis, and epididymis in DC compared to HC rats (P < 0.05). Relative testicular weight was significantly increased  in both DC and DT compared to HC groups (P < 0.0001). Sperm concentration, viability and morphology, were all significantly reduced in DC versus HC rats (P<0.0001), but improved in DT versus DC (P < 0.05). Histopathological examination showed degenerative changes in DC specimens that were alleviated in DT rats. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Basella alba plays a major role in ameliorating male reproductive complications due to streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.