Evaluating the Effects of Administration of the Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Jatropha curcas and Ascorbic Acid on the Male Reproductive Functions in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Introduction: The focus of this study is to compare the androgenic, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties of ethanolic leaf extract of Jatrophas curcas when co-administered with ascorbic acid to when administered separately in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Method: 48 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups. Group I: Normal control rats, Group II, Group III, Group IV were normal rats fed with Jatropha curcas (500mg/kg/d), Ascorbic acid (250mg/kg/d), and Jatropha curcas+ascorbic acid respectively. Diabetic rats were untreated in Group V, while diabetic rats in Groups VI, VII, and VIII were given Jatropha curcas (500mg/kg/day), ascorbic acid alone (250mg/kg/d), and Jatropha curcas+ascorbic acid, respectively. They were treated for 28 days, and the body weights and fasting blood glucose were checked weekly. The level of testicular antioxidant enzymes, sperm quality, and reproductive hormone profile were determined. Results: There was a significant reduction in serum glucose levels, increased levels of testicular antioxidant enzymes, increased serum levels of testosterone, and improved sperm quality in groups separately treated with Jatropha curcas and ascorbic acid compared to the diabetic untreated group. There was significant reduction in sperm quality of groups treated with co-administration of Jatropha curcas and ascorbic acid compared to when used separately. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that ethanolic leaf extracts of Jatropha curcas could trigger profertility properties in male diabetic rats, due to their potent hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and androgenic effects. However, coadministration of Jatropha and ascorbic acid could be deleterious to male reproductive functions.