Reproductive and toxic effects of methanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaf in male rats.

Alchornea cordifolia leaf is traditionally used for the treatment of venereal diseases and for the enhancement of fertility throughout its area of distribution in Africa. The effect of oral administration of the methanol extract of the leaf was evaluated on some reproductive and haematological parameters of male rats at 0 (control group), 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg kg(-1) . The toxicity study revealed nonsignificant alterations (P > 0.05) in the values of total and differential white blood cell count, but the erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and haematometric indices were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at 1600 mg kg(-1) dose. Markers of hepatic damage (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) and renal damage (urea and creatinine) were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) at 800 and 1600 mg kg(-1) . The bioactivity (reproductive) study revealed significant increases (P < 0.05) in testicular weight, sperm count and motility, and serum testosterone levels, at the 200 and 400 mg kg(-1) . The study concludes that the extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves has toxic potential at 800 mg kg(-1) and 1600 mg kg(-1) doses, but is safe and has beneficial effects on male reproduction when used at doses equal to or lower than 400 mg kg(-1) .

Quinolizidine alkaloids: the bioactive principles in Cnestis ferruginea (de Candolle) with male antifertility activities.

OBJECTIVES: The reproductive activities of purified fractions from the root extract of Cnestis ferruginea was evaluated in rats. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins and anthraquinones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Column chromatography produced 20 fractions which were reduced to 6 by thin layer chromatography. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed quinolizidine alkaloids (fractions 3 and 4) as the active principles in the extract of Cnestis ferruginea. Each fraction of Cnestis ferruginea (0.1, 1 and 2 mgkg(-1)bw) was administered to rats by gavages for 60 days. RESULTS: All fractions caused significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm counts, motility, viability, morphology and plasma levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. Fractions 3 and 4 caused the highest reduction (p<0.001) in fertility, FSH and LH levels comparable to those of quinine sulphate. There was recovery after 60 days of withdrawal from the extracts. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Cnestis ferruginea possesses reversible male antifertility effects. The active principles with these activities appear to be quinolizidine alkaloids.

Effects of the leaf decoction of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) on Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability Transition Pore (MMPTP) and fertility in normal male albino rats.

Momordica charantia (M. charantia), a medicinal plant of the family, Cucurbitaceae, is used in treating an array of ailments including diabetes, heamorrhoids, fevers and various cancers. Programmed cell death may be modulated by an intrinsic pathway involving the release of cytochrome C when the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MMPTP) pore is opened. Opening of MMPT pore was assayed using the method of Lapidus and Sokolove. The results obtained revealed that there was a dose-dependent and significant increase in the opening of the MMPT pore in rats orally administered the decoction with maximum induction (11-fold increase) at 55mg/100g body weight (bw), although the extent of opening of the pore was reduced at 65mg/100g bw (9-fold increase). An assessment of the blood parameters of animals orally exposed to the decoction showed significant decrease (p<0.05) in lymphocytes and a significant increase (p<0.05) in neutrophils at 55mg/ 100g bw. Moreover, significant increases (p<0.05) in RBC levels at 45 and 65mg/100g bw, were observed. Similarly, PCV and Heamoglobin values were also elevated at 65mg/100g bw while there was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in MCV and MCH values at 45, 55 and 65mg/100g bw. MCHC values were reduced only in animals that received 65mg/ 100g when compared to control animals. Analysis of the spermiogram of the experimental rats showed significant reductions (p<0.05) in sperm motility and sperm cell concentrations for all animals that were orally exposed to the decoction. There was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in percentage viability in animals that received 45mg/100g bw and above. Morphological abnormalities of sperm cells above the proposed percentage range (10%) were also observed in animals that received 45mg/100g bw and above. However, decoction did not show any significant effect on ALT and AST levels but there were significant increases (p<0.05) in a somewhat dose-dependent pattern in ALP and ãGT levels for all groups in comparison to the control group. These findings thus suggest dose-related negative or toxic effects of sub acute (30-day) oral administration of leaf decoction of M. charantia in albino rats and may therefore pose some danger to humans especially in regard to male fertility in individuals who rely on oral administration of the decoction in treating various ailments.

Comparative assessment of the erythrocyte osmotic fragility and of haematological and plasma biochemical values in the Nigerian white Fulani and N'dama breeds of cattle.

The blood profiles of the Nigerian White Fulani and N'dama breeds of cattle were compared. The White Fulani cattle had a significantly higher haemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (p < 0.05), plasma sodium (p < 0.02), total protein (p < 0.01), albumin (p < 0.01) and globulin (p < 0.02), but lower neutrophil counts (p < 0.01) and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes than the N'dama cattle. The plasma potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, inorganic phosphate, albumin/globulin ratio, urea, creatinine, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume, and the erythrocyte, leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil and monocyte counts were similar in the two breeds.

Plasma electrolyte, protein and metabolite levels in Nigerian White Fulani cattle under two different management systems.

Plasma electrolyte, protein and metabolite concentrations were determined in White Fulani cattle kept under intensive and extensive systems of management in Nigeria. The total protein and albumin values were significantly higher (p < 0.02 and p < 0.05, respectively) under the intensive management systems. The plasma bicarbonate, calcium, inorganic phosphate, potassium, sodium, globulin, creatinine and urea values were similar under both systems of management.

Weights and blood profiles of the west African hinge-backed tortoise, Kinixys erosa and the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii.

The body weight and blood profile were determined in the adult wild West African hinge-backed tortoise, Kinixys erosa and the adult wild desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii kept under identical environmental conditions. A comparison between sexes showed the male K. erosa had significantly higher packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration and lower body weight and plasma alkaline phosphatase values than the female, while no significant sex differences appeared in these parameters in G. agassizii. The haematological parameters and plasma levels of electrolytes, enzymes, proteins and metabolites did not differ significantly between the two species, suggesting that the blood values of K. erosa resembled those of G. agassizii under identical environmental conditions.

Haematological changes in west African dwarf goats following haemorrhage.

Changes in haematological parameters were determined in West African Dwarf goats subjected to a 30% haemorrhage. Analyses were made before and at the end of bleeding and at 1, 4 and 24 h after haemorrhage. Significant decreases in the red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration, which are reportedly due to haemodilution by interstitial fluid were found after haemorrhage. Although the mean corpuscular volume remained normal, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte osmotic fragility decreased significantly 24 h post-haemorrhage. The total white blood cell count increased significantly 4 or 24 h after haemorrhage due to increases in the neutrophil and eosinophil counts. However, the monocyte, basophil and lymphocyte counts were unaltered.