Anti-aging Effect of Plant Leaf Extract of Kersen (Muntingia calabura L.) on the Seminiferous Tubule of Mice Induced with D-galactose

One of aging-related changes in the testes in male is impairment of spermatogenic process that make spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids cells decreased which ultimately reduces fertility. There are many phytochemical compounds that are known to have anti-aging properties. One plant that is known to contain anti-aging compounds is the kersen or Jamaica cherry (Muntingia calabura L.). This study aims to reveal whether the phytochemicals in kersen leaf extract can restore the number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, and spermatids, as well as the diameter and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium in d-galactose-induced mice. There were 5 groups tested in this study. Group-1 was normal mice that were not induced and given the extract. Group-2 was a negative control where mice were induced with d-galactose but not treated. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were given 35, 70, and 105 mg/kg of cherry leaf extract, respectively. The results showed that kersen leaf extract was proven to be able to restore the number of spermatogonia cells, primary spermatocytes, and spermatids as well as restore the diameter and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium. Thus, it can be concluded that kersen leaf extract has anti-aging properties in mice induced by d-galactose.