Assessment of the antioxidant potential of alcoholic extract of Garcinia kola seed in alcohol induced testicular oxidative stress in sprague-dawley rat

ABSTRACT

The action of alcoholic extract of Garcinia kola (G. kola) seed as an antioxidant was investigated in alcohol induced testicular oxidative stress. 40 adult Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100 - 150g were used for the study. These were divided into a control and 7 experimental groups of 6 rats each. These were fed one of alcohol; G. kola or alcohol and G. kola combined daily by gastric gavage. At the end of eight weeks of experiment; the animals were sacrificed after anaesthesia; Histological study (H et E); sperm count; assay for testicular Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Catalase activity were determined. Results obtained revealed testicular lesion in the groups that received 500mg/kgw of extract; and 500mg/kgw with 2g of ethanol (concurrently) for 8 weeks. Slightly reduced sperm count was observed in ethanol/ extract (500mg/kg) combined group. There was increased testicular MDA and increased catalase activity in the groups that received 2g of ethanol only and 2g of ethanol concurrently with 500mg/kg extract. G. kola seed extract has a dose dependent antioxidant activity but may not be effective in alleviating alcohol induced testicular oxidative stress