Oral Administration of Tamarillo Seeds (Solanum Betaceum Cav.) Ethanol Extract Inhibited the Decrease of Leydig Cells and Testosterone Levels in Male Wistar Rats (Rattus Novergicus) Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Background and purpose: Exposure to cigarette smoke can induce oxidative stress. The process of smoking causes the accumulation of free radicals in the body and causes damage in three ways, namely lipid peroxidation, cell damage, and DNA damage. Tamarillo seeds (Solanum betaceum Cav.) contain various kinds of active compounds including flavonoids, phenols, tannins, vitamin C, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and others. This study was conducted to examine the effect of ethanol extract of tamarillo seeds on the number of Leydig cells and testosterone levels of male Wistar rats exposed to cigarette smoke. Methods: This study was an experimental study with a post-test control group design. The samples of this research were 36 healthy male Wistar rats, 6 months old, and 180-200 grams weight. Adapted for 7 days and then divided into two groups (18 rats per group). The control group was given a placebo (aquadest) 2ml/day and the treatment group was given ethanol extract of tamarillo seeds 80mg/200gBW/day just before being exposed to cigarette smoke 1 hour/day for 21 days. On day 22 the rats were euthanized and blood was drawn through the medial canthus sinus orbitalis dextra to check testosterone levels using the ELISA method and testicular surgery for microscopic preparation and counting the number of Leydig cells. Results: The analysis results of the Leydig cells number showed that the mean in the control group was 17, 21????5, 14 per one large field of view and the treatment group was 34, 46????5, 87 per one large field of view (p<0, 001). The mean value of testosterone levels in the control group was 10, 88????1, 34 nmol/ml and the treatment group was 20, 24????2, 16 nmol/ml (p<0, 001). The independent sample t-test showed that the mean number of Leydig cells and the testosterone levels in the treatment group were significantly higher (p<0, 001). Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that oral administration of tamarillo seeds (Solanum betaceum Cav.) ethanol extract can