Protective effect of Basella alba and Carpolobia alba extracts against maneb-induced male infertility.
BACKGROUND
Male infertility is one of the leading causes of social frustration and marginalization, mainly in the developing world. It is attributed to many factors including exposure to agropesticides such as manganese ethylenebis (dithiocarbamate) (maneb), which is one of the most frequently used fungicides in Cameroon. Previous reports support efficiency of some medicinal plants commonly used in Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of this disorder.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was aimed at assessing the protective effect of extracts from selected plant species, namely Basella alba L. (Basellaceae) (MEBa) and Carpolobia alba G. Don (Polygalaceae) (AECa), in alleviating the maneb-induced impairment of male reproductive function in Wistar albino rats.


METHODS
The rats were treated with vehicle, plant extract (MEBa or AECa), maneb and maneb plus plant extract, respectively, and their fertility was assessed. Animals were thereafter sacrificed and organs (liver, kidneys and reproductive organs) were dissected out and weighed. Serum androgens together with alanine aminotransferase, liver glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) were also measured.


CONCLUSIONS
From this study, both plant extracts stimulated testosterone and improved fertility. Administration of MEBa plus maneb prevented fertility reduction by maneb and minimized the inhibitory effect of maneb on testosterone levels. AECa also improved fertility of the maneb-exposed rats, though without restoring testosterone levels, and other investigated parameters remained unaffected by different treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings emphasized the beneficial effects of B. alba and C. alba extracts on male fertility, and suggest their protective effect against maneb-induced toxicity in male reproductive function.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea , Buea , Cameroon .
Faustin Pascal Tsagué
FP
Manfo
Edouard Akono
EA
Nantia
Henri
H
Dechaud
Angèle Nkouatchoua
AN
Tchana
Marie-Thérèse
MT
Zabot
Michel
M
Pugeat
Paul Fewou
PF
Moundipa
D000818:Animals; D002163:Cameroon; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000633:toxicity; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008344:Maneb / Q000633:toxicity; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029608:Polygalaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008344:Maneb; D013739:Testosterone