EFFECT OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF PLANTAGO MAJOR LEAF ON THE TESTIS MORPHOLOGY, SPERM PARAMETERS AND TESTOSTERONE LEVEL IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Aims: Diabetes can cause sexual dysfunction in people. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of leaf extract of plantain (Plantago major) on testis morphology, sperm parameters and serum testosterone levels in the diabetic rats. Materials & Methods: 24 male rats were randomly divided into three control (C; received normal saline), diabetic (DP) that received 100mg/kg of body weight of extract daily for 42 days intraperitoneally and the diabetic control (D) groups. After treatment, blood samples were collected to determine serum testosterone immediately. Sperms were collected from the epididym tail and sperm count and morphology were evaluated. Tissue sections were prepared from testis and Hematoxylin-Eosin and Oil-Red-Oil staining were done and the slides were examined by light microscope. Data was analyzed by ANOVA test. Findings: Treatment with plantain leaf extract significantly increased serum testosterone level significantly in DP group compared to group D (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between C and DP groups. The number of Leydig cells in the DP group was significantly increased compared to group D (p<0.05), whereas no significant difference was seen between C and DP groups. Treatment with plantain leaf extract significantly increased sperm count and decreased the level of abnormal sperm in DP group compared with group D (p<0.001), but no significant difference was seen between DP and C groups. Conclusion: Plantain increases the fertility of diabetic patients by increasing spermatogenesis.