Is Jackfruit Holding the Key Answer to Male Infertility? Outcomes of a Preliminary Pre-clinical Study

Abstract

Purpose: The antioxidant activity of jackfruit can be a potential treatment for male infertility. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) extract on testicular dysfunction and cytogenetic changes induced by Chlorpyrifos in male Wistar albino rats by using sperm analysis, histopathologic analysis of testis, biochemical analyses, and cytogenetic studies; and to determine if these were dose-dependent. Methods: Ethanolic extract of jackfruit (JFE) (450mg/kg, 600mg/kg) and Chlorpyrifos (CPF) (17.5mg/kg) were used. Thirty male rats grouped into control, toxic (CPF), jackfruit, treatment-1 and -2 received distilled water+corn oil, chlorpyrifos, JFE, CPF 17.5mg+JFE 450mg/kg, and CPF 17.5mg+JFE 600mg/kg, respectively. Network pharmacology was used to track, and identify the active ingredients and target pathways. Results: Treatment groups particularly treatment 1 displayed greater weight gain. JFE was associated with an increased testicular weight (p<0.05). Sperm motility significantly increased in the jackfruit, control, and treatment groups, particularly treatment 2. The increase in sperm count and motility were dose-dependent. There was a significant decrease in the DNA damage with JFE. There was an increase in the total protein in the treatment groups. Sperm motility, vitality, and total proteins are significantly reduced with CPF. There was a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and an increase in catalase activity in the jackfruit treatment groups. Network analysis analysed 50 active compounds in JFE, and identified 12 potential targets. Conclusion: JFE has a positive impact on sperm count, motility, vitality, and chromatin integrity demonstrated by decreased DNA damage. Antioxidant assays, MDA, and catalase indicated strong antioxidant activity of JFE.