Effects of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Fruit Extract on Sexual Function, Hormonal Parameters, Sperm Parameters, Testicular Histology, and eNOS Expression in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is often associated with male sexual and reproductive dysfunction, including erectile impairment, reduced libido, hormonal disturbances, and poor semen quality. Black pepper ( Piper nigrum L.) fruit extract has shown antidiabetic and reproductive benefits in experimental studies, but its role in diabetes-related sexual dysfunction remains unclear.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of black pepper fruit extract on hormonal, erectile, libido, sperm, histological, and molecular parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic male rats.
Methods: Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to five groups: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic rats treated with black pepper extract at 122.5 or 245 mg/kg body weight (BW) for 8 consecutive days, and diabetic rats treated with sildenafil citrate 1 mg/kg BW. Outcomes included intratesticular testosterone (ITT), erectile parameters (quick flip, long flip, erection, total penile reflexes [TPR]), libido parameters (courtship latency [CL], mount latency [ML], mount frequency [MF]), sperm parameters (concentration, progressive motility, normal morphology), Leydig cell and spermatocyte counts, and eNOS mRNA expression. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post hoc test.
Results: Compared with diabetic controls, the 122.5 mg/kg BW black pepper group significantly improved TPR, CL, ML, and MF. The 245 mg/kg BW group significantly improved ITT, sperm concentration, and normal…
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