EFFECT OF POLYHERBAL MIXTURE OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM PLANT) AND CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS (LEMON GRASS)

ABSTRACT

Male factor infertility refers to the existence of atypical semen parameters in assessments of sperm functionality, or the functional incapacity to sufficiently transport semen into the vaginal canal. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of a poly herbal mixture of Azadirachta indica (neem plant) and Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) on the male reproductive system and male reproductive parameters in male rats. Male albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (1 to 6) of 5 animals each. Animals in group 1 served as the negative control group and they received 2 mL of distilled water. Animals in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 received 100 mg/Kg Azadiractha indica extract alone,100 mg/Kg Azadiractha indica and Cymbopogon citratus extracts in a ratio of 3:1,100 mg/Kg Azadiractha indica and Cymbopogon citratus extract in ratio 1:1, 100 mg/Kg Azadiractha indica and Cymbopogon citratus extracts in ratio 1:3 and100 mg/Kg Cymbopogon citratus extract alone respectively. All administrations were done by means of oral gavage daily for a period of 21 days and the body weight of animals in each group was determined every 7 days. At the end of the 21 days treatment period, the rats were fasted overnight, anesthetized in a chloroform saturated chamber, sacrificed, and dissected. The blood was collected through the inferior vena cava into plain bottles centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain the blood serum as the supernatant which was collected into plain bottles. The testes were surgically removed and evaluated histologically. The caudal epididymis was also surgically extracted for the sperm analysis. The result of the serum hormonal profile showed a dose independent increase in testosterone levels in the treatment groups that received both plant extracts alone as well as in combinations therefore indicating that none of the plant extracts have deleterious effect on the testosterone hormonal profile of the experimental animals but there was a deleterious effect on the Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone parameter in rats that received both plant extracts as treatment.The result of the sperm morphology test showed a dose independent increase in sperm normal forms only in the treatment groups that received varying ratios of the combination of both plant extracts. The result of the sperm motility test showed a dose independent increase in sperm progressive motility in the treatment groups that received varying ratios of the combination of both plant extracts whereas the reverse was observed in the treatment groups that received Azadiractha indica extract alone and Cymbopogon citratus extract alone. Both plant extracts increased the weight of the testes and epidydimis in the experimental animals. The result of the histopathological evaluation showed that experimental animals in treatment group that received varying ratios of the combination of both plant extracts showed numerous healthy leydig cells, normal sequential maturation of sperm cells and active interstitial congestion, as opposed to the treatment groups that received Azadiractha indica extract alone and Cymbopogon citratus extract alone. Azadiractha indica therefore has a reprotoxic effect on the reproductive system of male rats whereas Cymbopogon citratus when concocted with Azadiractha indica in appropriate ratios has an attenuative effect to resolve reprotoxicity caused by Azadiractha indica when administered in male rats.