ABSTRACT
In this study, stem bark extracts of Cylicodiscus gabunensis, Nauclea latifolia and Araliopsis soyauxii were investigated for possible adverse effects on male reproductive organs and sex hormones of male albino rats of about eleven weeks weighing between 120-180g. The total of twenty eight rats were divided into seven groups (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) with four rats in each group. Two levels of each plant extract 125mg/kg body weight (BW) and 225 mg/kg BW (low and high dose) were administered to the rats by oral intubation. Group A served as the control and were fed with normal commercial feed only, group B and C were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of C. gabunensis, group D and E were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of N. latifolia while F and G were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of A. soyauxii. The results of the phytochemical screening showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the bioactive components of the three plants. The results obtained on the reproductive organs showed no significant effect (p>0.05) on organ weight (testes and epididymides) semen pH, sperm count and sperm head abnormality among the different groups but there were differences (p<0.05) in sperm motility and sperm viability in the different groups of the rat. On the hormonal analysis, the sex hormones under this study were generally decreased (p<0.05) as the concentration of each extract
ABSTRACT
Effects of graded dosages of methanolic extract of Aspilia Africana were examined on the estrous cycle, uterine weights and histology to determine its effects on the reproductive functions of 25 cyclic female rats. The rats were randomized into five groups A, B, C, D, and E. They were given Omg/kg body weight, 150 mg/kg body weight, 200 mg/kg body weight, 250 mg/kg body weight, and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The effect on the estrous cycle was determined by vaginal lavage while routine histological preparations were done with haematoxylin-eosin stains. All values were statistically compared at appropriate confidence intervals. Estrous cycles were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner and histology revealed a dose-dependent toxicity.
Se examinaron los efectos de las distintas dosificaciones de extracto de metanol de Aspilia africana, en los ciclos estrales, peso uterino y en la histología para determinar sus efectos en las funciones reproductivas de 25 ratas hembra. Las ratas fueron randomizadas en cinco grupos: A, B, C, D y E y recibieron 0 mg/kg de peso corporal, 150 mg/kg de peso corporal, 200 mg/kg de peso corporal, 250 mg/kg de peso corporal y 300 mg/kg de peso corporal respectivamente. El efecto en el ciclo estral fue determinado por frotis vaginal, preparado con técnicas histológicas de rutina y teñido con hematoxilina-eosina. Todos los valores fueron estadísticamente comparados con intervalos de confianza adecuados. Los ciclos estrales fueron significativamente reducidos en forma dosis dependiente y la histología reveló una toxicidad dosis dependiente.