Moringa leifera Leaf Improves Crude Oil-Polluted Water-Induced Altered Cavernosa Functions by Elevating Testosterone and Phosphodiesterase-5 Activity in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Ingestion of crude oil released into the environment is reported to cause oxidative stress-induced reproductive impairments. This study investigates the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf (MO) treatment on cavernosa contractile activity in crude oil-contaminated water (CCW)-exposed male Wistar rats. Cavernosa tissues excised from distilled water, CCW, CCW+MO, and MO treated rats were subjected to contractile functions studies using acetylcholine, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium nitroprusside, glibenclamide, nifedipine, methyl blue and barium chloride. Serum testosterone, cavernosa oxidative markers, and phosphodiesterase 5 were also determined using standard techniques. Serum testosterone, body weight, and testicular, epididymal and cavernosa weights were significantly reduced in the CCW group as compared to CCW+MO group. MDA concentration increased significantly in CCW group as compared to CCW+MO and MO groups. Moringa oleifera improved the relaxation response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside in CCW+MO group, and relaxation was not significantly affected by incubation in nifedipine, methyl blue and barium chloride when compared to the CCW group. MO treatment ameliorated crude oil-contaminated water-induced cavernosa dysfunctions by increasing testosterone, phosphodiesterase 5 activity, and its cytoprotective antioxidant properties.