Volume 19, Issue 6 (June 2021)                   IJRM 2021, 19(6): 577-578 | Back to browse issues page

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Kadir R E, Ibrahim A, Ibrahim B A, Gwadabe S M, Sulaiman-Jaji R, Adigun M F et al . Author's Reply: "Low-dose bitter leaf improves sperm quality disrupted in immunosuppressed Wistar rats: An experimental study". IJRM 2021; 19 (6) :577-578
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-2296-en.html
Author's Reply: "Low-dose bitter leaf improves sperm quality disrupted in immunosuppressed Wistar rats: An experimental study"
Risikat Eniola Kadir1 , Abdulmumin Ibrahim * 2, Balkis Abimbola Ibrahim1 , Sadiya Musa Gwadabe1 , Rukayat Sulaiman-Jaji1 , Munirat Foyeke Adigun1 , Adeoye Oyetunji Oyewopo1
1- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, PMB 1515, Nigeria.
2- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, PMB 1515, Nigeria. Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. , ibrahim.am@unilorin.edu.ng
Keywords: quality, immunosuppressed
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Author's Reply
 
Thank you for the observations made, clarifications required as well as the suggestions. We have gone through and our response is thus:
  1. We understand that spermatogenesis cycle in rats last averagely for 56 days. We administered prednisolone, then treated with various doses of Vernonia amygdalina, then compared within the groups and control. This comparison is what we are demonstrating the differences. We treated for 21 days, and this has shown to make a difference from the untreated group in the spermatogenesis parameters. Similar studies with short duration of administration have also shown that there can be difference in these sperm parameters, even with as low as 14 days treatment when compared to controls (1-3). In our study, the rats were immunosuppressed with prednisolone, and then treated with low and high doses of Vernonia amygdalina extract, to observe for the different possible effects. These groupings were ideas conceived by the authors, which was part of the experimental design of the study. Furthermore, studies have shown various administrations of similar and higher doses being used (4, 5). According to published data by Akah et al., and Nwanjo, acute toxicity test in rats gave an LD50 of 1122 mg/kg as well as 1265.22 ± 56 mg/kg (6, 7).
  2. We are aware of the relevance of assaying hormonal parameters when studying sperm and fertility analysis. This we intend to go further with in our further analysis.
  3. There are various ways of obtaining plant extracts for experimental purpose. Your suggestion of using hydroalcoholic extract has been noted. We used aqueous extract as we know that this is the commonest manner in which the leaf is actually ingested. We therefore tried to simulate this usual manner in which the plant gets into the body. The plant leaves were washed, and then air dried prior to pulmerization. This we believe should to a large extent remove impurities. However, further studies will include fractionating the various compounds and testing these compounds individually.
  4. As a background to our study was to first note if there will be observable changes/effects following administration of Vernonia amygdalina in immunosuppressed rats, a commonly consumed vegetable in our environment and which has been documented to have some beneficial properties. This was the first phase of the study. Subsequently, we will look at possible pathways through which these observed effects could occur. The hormonal and immunologic pathways will therefore be explored, as well as possible roles of reactive oxygen species in this regard.
Type of Study: Letter to Editor |
References
1. Naghdi M, Maghbool M, Seifalah-Zade M, Mahaldashtian M, Makoolati Z, Kouhpayeh SA, et al. Effects of Common Fig (Ficus carica) leaf extracts on sperm parameters and testis of mice intoxicated with formaldehyde. Evid Based Complement Altern Med 2016; 2016: 2539127. [DOI:10.1155/2016/2539127] [PMID] [PMCID]
2. Ebokaiwe AP, Ijomone OM, Osawe ShO, Chukwu ChJ, Ejike Ch ECC, Zhang G, et al. Alteration in sperm characteristics, endocrine balance and redox status in rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin treatment: Attenuating role of Loranthusmicranthus. Redox Report 2018; 23: 194-205. [DOI:10.1080/13510002.2018.1540675] [PMID] [PMCID]
3. Piryaei A, Najar A, Bayat M. Effects of pentoxifylline administration on histomorphological parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat testes. Lab Anim Res 2015; 31: 111-116. [DOI:10.5625/lar.2015.31.3.111] [PMID] [PMCID]
4. Uchendu IK. Effect of aqueous extract of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia Amygdalina) against acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats. Bioequiv Bioavailab Int J 2018; 2: 000122. [DOI:10.23880/BEBA-16000122]
5. Oluwatosin A, Bayo O, Oluchi A, Michael F. Protective effects of extracts of vernonia amygdalina, hibiscus sabdariffa and vitamin C against radiation-induced liver damage in rats. J Radiat Res 2008; 49: 123-131. [DOI:10.1269/jrr.07062] [PMID]
6. Akah PA, Okafor CL. Blood sugar lowering effect of Vernonia amygdalina Del, in an experimental rabbit model. Phytother Res 1992; 6: 171-173. [DOI:10.1002/ptr.2650060318]
7. Nwanjo HU. Efficacy of aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on plasma lipoprotein and oxidative status in diabetic rat models. Nigerian J Physiol Sci 2005; 20: 39-42.
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