Author(s)

Seun F. Akomolafe, Ganiyu Oboh, Afolabi A. Akindahunsi, Ayodele J. Akinyemi, Olusola Adeyanju

Department of Biochemistry, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Department of Chemistry, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.

Oxidative stress has been identified as one of the factors that affects fertility status. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera and Newbuoldia laevis leaves on FeSO₄ and Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) induced lipid peroxidation in rat testes in vitro. Incubation of the testes tissue homogenate in the presence of FeSO₄ and SNP caused a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the testes. The aqueous extract from both Moringa oleifera and Newbuoldia laevis leaves caused a significant decrease in the MDA contents of the testes in a dose-dependent manner. However, aqueous extract from Moringa oleifera leaf (EC₅₀ = 0.29 mg/ml) had a significant (P<0.05) higher inhibitory effect on Fe²⁺ induced lipid peroxidation in the rat testes homogenate than that of Newbuoldia laevis leaf extract (EC₅₀ = 0.58 mg/ml); while there was no significant (P<0.05) difference between the plant extracts on SNP induced lipid peroxidation in the rat testes homogenates. Therefore, part of the mechanisms through which the water extractable phytochemicals in the leaves protect the testes from oxidative stress may be through their antioxidant activity; DPPH scavenging ability, Fe²⁺ chelating and reducing power. Therefore, these plants have potential to prevent oxidative stress in testes and improve fertility outcomes.

Lipid Peroxidation; Malondialdehyde; Antioxidant Activity; Testes

S. Akomolafe, G. Oboh, A. Akindahunsi, A. Akinyemi and O. Adeyanju, "Inhibitory Effect of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera and Newbuoldia laevis Leaves on Ferrous Sulphate and Sodium Nitroprusside Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat’s Testes in Vitro," Open Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 2 No. 4, 2012, pp. 119-128. doi: 10.4236/ojmc.2012.24015.