Therapeutic Effects of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia Occidentalis) Seed Extract in Aging Induced Oxidative Stress in Testis of Male Wistar Rats

The aim of this study is to ascertain the potency of fluted pumpkin seed extract (FPSE) in ameliorating effects caused by oxidative stress in reproductive organs of aged male rats, taking into consideration CAT (Catalase), LPO (Lipid peroxidation), and GSH (Glutathione) as oxidative stress biomarkers. Histopathology of the testes was also examined. 60 male Wistar rats, of which 40 of them are adult males with average weight of 273g and 20 young male rats having an average weight of 87g were separated into 6 groups containing 10 rats each, with the 10 young rats grouped into 1 group Group 1 (young control) received 0.2 ml of corn oil, Group 2 (adult control) received 0.4 ml of corn oil, Group 3 (50 mg/kg FPSE) received 1.4 ml of the extract, Group 4 (100 mg/kg FPSE) received 2.8 ml of the extract, Group 5 (200 mg/kg FPSF) received 5.5 ml of the extract, and Group 6 (testosterone) received 0.14 ml of testosterone administered intraperitoneally once a week for 40 days. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received their treatment twice a week. From this research, it was deduced that the level of CAT, LPO, and GSH increased in Group 2 (adult control) when compared with Group 1 (young control) but decreased statistically in Group 3 (50 mg/kg FPS extract), Group 4 (100 mg/kg FPS extract), Group 5 (200 mg/kg FPS extract), and Group 6 (testosterone), with Group 3 (50 mg/kg FPS extract) having the most reduction. The histopathology showed damage to the epithelium and reduced germ cells in the testes of the aged rats, which was restored in the groups that received the plant extract and testosterone. In conclusion, the information presented in this study suggests that consumption of FPS extract at low doses may be advantageous in reducing the harm done to the reproductive organs of old male rats by oxidative stress.

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Wofuru-Nyenke, C. K. (2025). Therapeutic Effects of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia Occidentalis) Seed Extract in Aging Induced Oxidative Stress in Testis of Male Wistar Rats. International Journal of Health Systems Science and Technology (IJHSST), 1(1), 56-75.

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