Antioxidant Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa Calyces Aqueous Extract Against Sleep Deprivation-induced Pituitary, Testicular and Epidydimal Oxidative Damage in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Sleep deprivation can significantly impact male fertility. Ensuring sufficient and quality sleep is crucial for maintaining optimal reproductive health. This study evaluated the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces against sleep deprivation-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity in Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of seven animals each, with group I as the control receiving distilled water, group II as sleep-deprived and untreated, and Groups III-V receiving varying doses of HS (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), respectively, while being sleep-deprived. Group VI received vitamin C (100 mg/kg) and was sleep-deprived. Administration of HS significantly (P< 0.05) reduced testicular and epididymal malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the sleep-deprived-untreated group. Antioxidant enzymes; SOD, GSH CAT and GSH were significantly increased (P< 0.05) with HS treatment compared to the sleep-deprived-untreated group. These results support the potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa as a natural therapeutic agent in mitigating sleep deprivation-induced reproductive toxicity.