Possible protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on dexamethasone-induced histological changes in adult rat testes

Introduction Dexamethasone (Dex) is a widely used therapeutic agent for its immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory action. It has adverse effects on many body organs and systems. Moringa oleifera is an antioxidant-rich natural plant. It contains vitamins C and A, and various phenolic compounds. Aim of work The present study was designed to evaluate the ability of M. oleifera leaf extract to protect rat testis against Dex-induced spermatogenic defects. Materials and methods Thirty adult male rats were divided equally into three groups (10 animals each): the control group (group I) and two experimental groups (groups II and III). Rats of group II were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 7mg/kg/day of Dex for 10 days. In group III the rats were treated with M. oleifera leaf extract at 400mg/kg/day, and then after 2h they were administered an intraperitoneal injection of Dex with the same dose as for group II for 10 days. The testes were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscope examination. Results Microscopic examination revealed that most of the seminiferous tubules of group II were lined with germ cells with dark pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. The lumen of some tubules was obliterated with exfoliated and sometimes multinucleated giant cells. There was statistically highly significant increase in the percentage of sperm abnormality. Degenerated interstitial Leydig cells were also observed. However, in the moringa-treated group, the histological changes were reduced and the percentage of sperm abnormality was more or less similar to that of the control group. Conclusion These results demonstrated that M. oleifera leaf extract has a potent protective effect against the testicular toxicity induced by Dex and hence might be clinically useful.