Annona muricata L. Fruit Pulp Improves Hormone Profile and Semen Quality in Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Male Rats

Abstract

Fruit pulp of Annona muricata is utilized in traditional medicine to treat pain, urethritis, inflammation and to promote breast milk production after childbirth. In this study, the effect of the aqueous Annona muricata fruit pulp extract (AAMFPE) on the hormonal profile and semen quality in testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats was investigated. In the acute toxicity study, single dose of up to 5 g/kg AAMFPE was orally administered. Healthy adult male rats were divided into 6 groups (n=5) and groups 2-6 were induced with a daily dose of 5 mg/kg testosterone propionate for 28 days by intraperitoneal injections, while group 1 served as a normal control. After induction, group 2 served as a negative control, group 3 received 5 mg/kg finasteride orally, while groups 4-6 received different oral doses of AAMFPE: 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg respectively for 14 consecutive days via the oral route. The results showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in testicular weight, prostate weight, prostate-specific antigen and testosterone as well as an increase in luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in rats treated with AAMFPE, finasteride and normal control animals compared to the negative control group. In addition, treatment with AAMFPE improved semen quality, sperm morphology and histomorphology of both testis and prostate in male rats compared to the untreated BPH-induced group. In conclusion, AAMFPE is not toxic but reduces testicular and prostate weight, and improves hormone profile and sperm quality in BPH-induced male rats.