Sains Malaysiana 46(9)(2017): 1471–1477

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2017-4609-16

 

Gynura procumbens Leaf Improves Blood Glucose Level, Restores Fertility and Libido of Diabetic-Induced Male Rats

(Daun Gynura procumbens Meningkatkan Aras Glukosa Darah serta Memulihkan Kesuburan dan Libido Tikus Jantan Aruhan Diabetik)

 

KHAIDATUL AKMAR KAMARUZAMAN & MAHANEM MAT NOOR*

 

School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

 

Received: 31 August 2016/Accepted: 1 April 2017

 

 

ABSTRACT

Gynura procumbens (GP) has been widely used in traditional medicine due to its ability in treating various types of diseases. This study was carried out to determine the effects of GP on blood glucose level, fertility and libido of streptozotocin-induced male rats. A total of 42 male rats were randomly sorted into six groups; normal, negative and positive controls and three treated groups with different dosages of GP aqueous extract (GPAE); 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg. Each group was treated via oral feeding for 14 consecutive days. The rats were sacrificed on day 15 for further analysis. Administration of GPAE significantly lowered the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and increased the plasma testosterone level of diabetic-induced rats compared to the positive and negative control groups. There was also a significant increase in the sperm quality as well as the fertility of GPAE treated groups compared to the negative and positive control groups. Sexual behaviour analysis demonstrated that GPAE is able to facilitate the expression of sexual behaviour significantly; increased mounting frequency and reduced mounting latency. These lines of evidence suggested that GPAE can act as antihyperglycaemic, profertility and libido agents. However, its mechanism(s) remains unresolved.

 

Keywords: Diabetic; fertility; Gynura procumbens; sexual behaviour; testosterone

 

ABSTRAK

Gynura procumbens (GP) telah digunakan secara meluas dalam perubatan tradisional kerana keupayaannya dalam merawat pelbagai jenis penyakit. Kajian ini telah dijalankan untuk menentukan kesan GP ke atas aras glukosa darah, kesuburan dan libido tikus jantan yang diaruh streptozotocin. Sejumlah 42 ekor tikus jantan telah diasingkan secara rawak kepada enam kumpulan; kawalan normal, negatif dan positif serta tiga kumpulan yang dirawat dengan dos berbeza ekstrak akues GP (GPAE); 150, 300 dan 450 mg/kg. Setiap kumpulan diberi perlakuan secara oral selama 14 hari berturut-turut. Tikus dikorbankan pada hari ke-15 untuk analisis lanjut. Perlakuan GPAE dengan signifikan telah menurunkan tahap glukosa darah berpuasa (FBG) dan meningkatkan aras testosteron plasma tikus diaruh diabetes berbanding dengan kumpulan kawalan positif dan negatif. Terdapat juga peningkatan signifikan dalam kualiti sperma serta kesuburan kumpulan rawatan GPAE berbanding dengan kumpulan kawalan negatif dan positif. Kajian kelakuan seksual menunjukkan bahawa GPAE ini dapat meningkatkan kelakuan seksual dengan signifikan; meningkatkan kekerapan pemanjatan dan mengurangkan tempoh pendam pemanjatan. Bukti ini mencadangkan bahawa GPAE boleh bertindak sebagai agen anti hiperglisemik, prokesuburan dan libido. Walau bagaimanapun mekanisme ini masih belum diketahui.

Kata kunci: Diabetis melitus; Gynura procumbens; kelakuan seksual; kesuburan; testosteron

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*Corresponding author; email: mahanem@ukm.edu.my

 

 

 

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