Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) aqueous extracts alleviate testicular damage induced by Plasmodium berghei in male mice via modulation of oxidative stress pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Delile) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob.) are herbal plants known for their diverse therapeutic purposes, including the treatment of malaria. However, there is a dearth of information on their ability to reverse the negative impacts of malaria infection on reproduction-linked organs such as the testes.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated the effect of bitter leaf and Siam weed aqueous extracts in reversing testicular oxidative damage caused by plasmodium berghei Infection in male mice.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The bioactive components of Siam weed and bitter leaf were analyzed. Sixty-four (64) male mice were inoculated with strain NK65 Plasmodium berghei (Chloroquine, CQ sensitive), and the parasitemia suppression was assessed. The mice were treated with bitter leaf and Siam weed aqueous extracts (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) for five (5) days, with Chloroquine (10 mg/kg) as standard. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), antioxidant levels and enzyme activities were assessed on the testes of the mice.

RESULTS

Bitter leaf and Siam weed contain several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory bioactive components. Treatments with these herbs suppressed the parasitemia level, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced ROS, TBARS, and had an inhibitory effect on enzyme activities, with an increase in antioxidant levels in a dose-dependent manner compared to infected, untreated mice.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that bitter leaf and Siam weed aqueous extracts can reverse the negative effects of malaria infection on the testes via modulation of oxidative stress pathways.