Androgenic and Spermatogenic Potential of Justicia Carnea on Testosterone-Propionate Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Infertility ranks highly as one of the most challenging and growing problems in the world. Different intrinsic and extrinsic factors could predispose an individual to male infertility. Although an elementary level of free radicals produced is essential for sperm capacitation, hyperactivation and sperm-oocyte fusion, their overproduction can cause sperm damage by overcoming the antioxidant defence system. This condition is a common place in testosterone propionate induced benign prostatic hyperplasia. Justicia carnea possesses pro-fertility properties that can be exploited in management and promotion of fertility health of BPH patients. This study aims to assess the effect of Justicia carnea on the fertility indices of testosterone-propionate induced BPH in male Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly placed in six groups designated normal control, positive control, negative control and treatment groups. Four groups (positive control, negative control and groups 4-6) were induced with testosterone propionate (TP) for 11 days before being treated with finasteride and aqueous extract of Justicia carnea (ALEJC) for 56 days. Goup 2 designated negative control was induced with TP but not treated while group 3 (positive control) was induced with TP and treated with 5mg/kg b.wt of Finasteride. The groups 4-6 were administered with 500mg/kg b.wt, 1500mg/kg b.wt and 2500mg/kg b.wt of the plant extract for 56 days after TP induction. The hormonal assay was determined by colorimetric method using ELISA kit microplate and semen analysis was done by microscopic assessment. J.carnea extract significantly decreased the prostate weight and prostatic index in rats with TP-induced BPH. There was also a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of testosterone for the AEJC extract treated groups which showed a marked increase at p < 0.05 in comparison to the negative control BPH group. The extract treated groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the total sperm count when compared to the negative control group. From the results of the investigation, it could be deduced that the AEJC enhanced the spermatogenic and androgenic functions in testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia. The plant extract could therefore, be advanced as a pro-fertility agent for men with infertility condition resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia.