Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) has been associated with several microvascular and macrovascular complications. However, studies regarding the predominant complications of T2DM in Ghana have not been conducted. This study evaluated the prevalence and predominant complications of T2DM and assessed the sociodemographic factors associated with the development of diabetes-related complications in Kumasi, Ghana. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. A total of 1600 Ghanaian T2DM adults were included in this study. Patients’ clinical data from 2012 to 2016 were retrieved from the hospital’s archive. Results: The prevalence of macrovascular and microvascular complications of T2DM was 31.8% and 35.3% respectively. The prevalence of neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, sexual dysfunction, diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA), and hypoglycemia were 20.8%, 12.5%, 6.5%, 3.8%, 2.0%, and 0.8% respectively. Sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with the male gender compared to females. Being employed: Informal (aOR = 0.479, p < 0.0001), and Formal (aOR = 0.475, p = 0.0008) was associated with lower age- and sex-adjusted odds of developing T2DM-related complications while having T2DM for 5–10 years (aOR = 1.550, p = 0.0009) and more than 10 years (aOR = 2.755, p < 0.0001) was associated with increased odds of developing complications. Conclusions: Microvascular complication is the most predominant among T2DM in Kumasi, Ghana. The most prevalent T2DM-related microvascular complication in Kumasi, Ghana is neuropathy. Sexual dysfunction is associated with male compared to female T2DM patients. Being employed reduces the chance of developing T2DM-related complications while increasing DM duration increases the risk of complications.

Purpose: Male sexual dysfunction negatively affects an individual’s quality of life and thus its of prime public concern, hence the need to boost reproductive abilities in such individuals. This study assessed the effect of hydroethanolic root extracts of Caesalpinia benthamiana (CBRE), Sphenocentrum jollyanum (SJRE), and Paullinia pinnata (PPRE), commonly used as aphrodisiacs in Ghana, using male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Plasma testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were assayed in grouped rats treated orally with 1 mL/kg normal saline, 50 mg/kg monosodium glutamate (MSG), and 100, 300, or 1000 mg/kg CBRE, SJRE, and PPRE, respectively, for 60 days. Epididymis and testis weights were determined. Semen was assessed on spermatozoa count, motility, and morphology. Malonyladehyde formation in lipid-peroxidation assay and histological examinations were performed to assess pathological changes in testes. Testicular testosterone was also assayed. Results: While MSG, CBRE, SJRE, and PPRE treatments did not result in significant reduction (p> 0.05) in plasma testosterone, there was significant reduction (p≤ 0.05 − 0.0001) in plasma luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. The combined mean wet weights of epididymides and testes of all treated groups did not vary significantly (p> 0.05) from the control. There was significant reduction (p≤ 0.0001) in sperm motility and count, with significant morphological changes (p≤ 0.05– 0.001), ie, bent necks, tails, and midpieces, and multiple anomalies in the spermatozoa in extract and MSG-treated groups. There was also significant (p≤ 0.0001) reduction in testicular testosterone among all treatment groups. Conclusion: Hydroethanolic CBRE, SJRE, and PPRE were found to have detrimental effects on reproductive function with prolonged usage and thus may not be safe to use in healthy males who intend to reproduce.

Background: Some traditional herbs disrupt endocrine-endometrial synchrony, affecting embryo-endometrium communication during fertility. Hormonal imbalances cause non-receptive conditions, leading to anti-implantation or abortion. Historically, Mentha pulegium has served for contraceptive and abortive purposes. Its effects on the post-coital contraceptive and hormonal activities were evaluated. Methods: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley female rats were selected based on the presence of copulation plugs and received 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of Hydroethanolic leaf extract of Mentha pulegium L. (MPE) for seven days. Reproductive organ weights and serum estrogen and progesterone levels were measured. The resorption index, anti-implantation activity, and pre-implantation loss were also calculated using the number of implantation sites and resorptions in all treatments. Data were presented as mean±standard error mean (SEM), and significance was defined as p<0.05 using one-way ANOVA. Results: Post-coital administration of MPE resulted in resorptive, pre-implantation loss, and anti-implantation activity. A dose of 200 mg/kg reduced the number of implantations and exhibited a high resorption index, percentage pre-implantation loss, and anti-implantation activity. A marked decline in serum progesterone levels and a significant reduction in serum estrogen and progesterone ratio was observed at 200 mg/kg MPE. A significant increase in uterine weight was observed in the 500 mg/kg treatment. Doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg resulted in a significant reduction in anti-implantation activity. Conclusions: The observed anti-implantation activity and pre-implantation loss suggest the abortifacient properties of MPE. However, its effects were seen to be dose-dependent.

Mentha pulegium L. is reported to contain phytochemicals known to bind to estrogen receptors and modulate estrogenic effects. A hydroethanolic leaf extract of Mentha pulegium L. (MPE) was prepared, and its effects on uterine and ovarian tissues in immature rats were investigated, focusing on transcriptional endpoint-related estrogenic activity. Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with varying doses of MPE alone or in combination with estradiol for seven days. Gene expression analysis was performed using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the effect of MPE on estrogen-responsive biomarkers: Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k), Progesterone receptor (Pgr), Trefoil factor 1 (pS2), Intestinal calcium-binding protein integral (Icabp), Integral membrane-associated protein-1 (Itmap1) and Complement component 3 (CC3) genes. In ovarian tissues, MPE treatment decreased CaBP-9k and Icapb expression, with CC3 showing significant decreases in the 200 mg/kg group. Treatments with MPE and estradiol significantly reduced the expression of all estrogen-responsive genes compared to estradiol treatment. In uterine tissues, 1000 mg/kg MPE increased CaBP-9k and pS2 expression significantly but decreased Icapb, CC3, pS2, and Itmap across all treatment groups significantly. Combined estradiol treatment with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg showed significantly low CaBP-9k and CC3 expressions. Increased expression of Icapb, Itmap, and pS2 was observed when combined estradiol treatments with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg were compared to estradiol treatment. MPE influenced the expression of specific genes in the uterus and ovaries and thus may exhibit endocrine-modulatory activity by multiple mechanisms of action, highlighting its potential complexity in modulating estrogenic responses.

Male infertility is estimated to affect over 30 million men around the world, with a prevalence of 2.5% - 12%. Plants, including Aframomum melegueta, are valued for their nutritive and medicinal properties, particularly on the reproductive system, due to bioactive compounds. This study examined the effects of Aframomum melegueta aqueous seed extract (AMASE) on male reproductive parameters Twenty-five adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (150-190 g) were randomly assigned to five groups (n=5). AMASE was orally administered at doses of 115, 230, 345, and 460 mg/kg daily for 21 days alongside a naïve control group. Blood and reproductive organs were collected post-treatment for hormonal, histological, and sperm quality assessments. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with Dunnett’s post hoc test comparing the various treatments to the naïve control group. Treatment with 345 mg/kg AMASE significantly increased prostate gland weight (p=0.038). Sperm concentration significantly increased in all treated groups, with 345 and 460 mg/kg showing the most pronounced effects (p < 0.0001), while sperm morphology improved significantly at 345 mg/kg (p = 0.0013). Testosterone levels exhibited a biphasic response, with a significant increase at 115 mg/kg (p = 0.0009) and a decline at 460 mg/kg. Histological analysis confirmed preserved testicular structure at 115 and 230 mg/kg, enhanced spermatogenesis at 345 mg/kg, and alterations at 460 mg/kg. Although AMASE exhibited selective activity improving sperm concentration and morphology without affecting motility or viability, it demonstrated promising potential as a fertility-enhancing agent.

Mentha pulegium L. contains phytochemicals known to bind to estrogen receptors and modulate estrogenic effects. The study investigated the effects of Mentha pulegium L. (MPE) on uterine and ovarian tissues in immature rats, focusing on the transcriptional endpoint-related estrogenic activity. Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with varying doses of MPE alone or in combination with estradiol for seven days. Gene expression analysis was performed using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the effect of MPE on estrogen-responsive biomarkers: Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k), Progesterone receptor (Pgr), Trefoil factor 1 (pS2), Intestinal calcium-binding protein integral (Icabp), Integral membrane-associated protein-1 (Itmap1) and Complement component 3 (CC3) genes. In ovarian tissues, MPE treatment down-regulated CaBP-9k and Icapb expression, with CC3 showing significant down-regulation in the 200 mg/kg group. Treatments with MPE and estradiol significantly reduced the expression of all estrogen-responsive genes compared to estradiol treatment. In uterine tissues, 1000 mg/kg MPE up-regulated CaBP-9k and pS2 expression significantly but down-regulated Icapb, CC3, pS2, and Itmap across all treatment groups significantly. Combined estradiol treatment with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg showed significantly low CaBP-9k and CC3 expressions. Increased expression of Icapb, Itmap, and pS2 was observed when combined estradiol treatments with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg were compared to estradiol treatment. MPE influenced the expression of specific genes in the uterus and ovaries and thus may act as an endocrine disruptor with multiple mechanisms of action, highlighting its potential complexity in modulating estrogenic responses.