Effects of Gynura procumbens Extract and Glibenclamide on Sperm Quality and Specific Activity of Testicular Lactate Dehydrogenase in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is believed to bring negative effects on the male reproductive system through an increase in oxidative stress. Gynura procumbens, a local herb with anti-hyperglycemic and anti-diabetic properties, has been traditionally used to treat the disease. The present study aimed to assess the anti-diabetic activity of aqueous G. procumbens and the effect of treatment on the reproductive system in streptozotocin-induced male diabetic rats. Glibenclamide, an established anti-diabetic drug, was used as a positive control in the study. Diabetic rats (n=5) force-fed with G. procumbens aqueous extract with 100 mg/kg dosage (n=5) showed increased sperm count and motility by 25.12% and 23.97±1.09% respectively while sperm mortality decreased by 38.43% as compared to the controls. Testicular LDH specific activities in G. procumbens aqueous extract treated rats were increased by 72.53%. On the other hand, diabetic rats force-fed with glibenclamide with 5 mg/kg dosage (n=5) showed decreased sperm count and slightly increased sperm motility by 4.65% and 19.94±1.26%, respectively, while sperm mortality increased significantly (p<0.05) by 38.43% as compared to the controls. Testicular LDH specific activities in glibenclamide treated rats were increased by 26.58%.