JMBSR-Abstract

Evaluation of the Gonadoprotective Effects of Allanblackia floribunda Oliver (Clusiacea) On Testes and Accessory Organs of Wistar Rats

 

Olasantan O.D, Areola J.O, Ayannuga O.A and Babalola O.O
 

 

Research Paper I Published November,2015

 

Journal of Medical and Biological Science Research Vol. 1 (9), pp. 134-144

 

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of the crude ethanolic extract and fractions of the stem bark of Allanblackia floribunda on the testes and accessory organs of rats. Forty five (45) male rats of average weight between 150 to 200 g were distributed into nine groups of five rats per group. Rats in group 1 (control group) were administered distilled water, while groups 2 to 9 were orally administered 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of the crude ethanolic extracts and aqueous, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions, once daily for 28 days. On the 29th day, the animals were sacrificed; weights of the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate glands were taken and documented. Testicular antioxidant level was determined by measuring testicular catalase and glutathione peroxidise activity. Serum alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were also assayed for. Statistical analysis to test significant difference between mean values was performed using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).The results revealed that crude ethanolic extract of A. floribunda gave positive reactions for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tanins, triterpenes and cardiac glycosides and the median lethal dose (LD50) was higher than 5000 mg/kg body weight. The acid phosphatase (ACP) across all the groups showed an increase in activity when compared with control. However, a general decrease in alkaline phosphatase (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and catalase activities was observed in all the groups with the mean values of Group 2, Group 3 and Group 9 ACP; Group 6 and 7ALP; Group 2LDH and Groups 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 G6PDH having a significant difference (p<0.05) when compared with control. Glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) varied across all groups with most groups having slightly lower activity (0.19+0.01 U/L/mg protein, 0.15+0.01 U/L/mg protein, 0.18+0.01 U/L/mg protein, 0.17+0.01 U/L/mg protein, 0.16+0.01 U/L/mg protein, 0.15+0.01 U/L/mg protein) when compared with the control group (0.21+0.02 U/L/mg protein). With the exception of Group 7 (300 mg/kg ethyl acetate), all groups had slightly lower seminal vesicle, testicular and epididymis weights when compared with the control. The study concluded that the ethanolic extract and fractions of A. floribunda had deleterious effects on the testes and accessory organs of the animals, most especially at 300 mg/kg dosage of the crude ethanolic extract.

Key words: Allanblackia floribunda, Accessory organs, Testis, Ethanolic Extract.

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