Effect of hibiscus sabdarifla on the blood picture, sperm quality and genital organs of rats

ABSTRACT

Oral administration of water extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers [20 mg/100 gm body weight] daily for 8 weeks to male albino rats produces increase in total leucocytic count, haemoglobin percent and lymphocytes after 4-8 weeks, in the mean time the neutrophils decreases after 4 weeks. The increase in the percentage of motile sperms and the increase of abnormal sperms were observed after 4 to 8 weeks of experiment. The extract also causes decrease in body weight and epididymis. However, the reduction in weight starts from the 4[th] to the 8[th] week of treatment. All the effects obtained were found to be reversible after discontinuation of treatment