Evaluating the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on some reproductive hormones of male Wistar rats
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Okuku Campus, Cross River University of Technology, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2020, 12(03), 166-173.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2020.12.3.0297
Publication history:
Received on 14 September 2020; revised on 22 September 2020; accepted on 25 September 2020
Abstract:
This research was aimed at evaluating the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on some reproductive hormones of male Wistar rats. Eighteen (18) male Wistar rats weighing 120-200 g were divided into three (3) groups of six (6) animals each. The animals were allowed to undergo acclimatisation period for seven days before the start of the research. Animals in group A served as the control, while group B and C were administered 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of G. latifolium, respectively. The administration was performed for 14 days. Twelve hours after the last administration, the rats were sacrificed and cardiac puncture procedure was used to collect the blood for some reproductive hormonal analysis. The extract produced a (P<0.05) significant increase in serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone respectively at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg body weight compared to normal control and progesterone produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in all experimental groups compared with normal control. The extract was found to contain alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, and glycosides at varying concentrations. The rich phytochemicals in the extract of Gongronema latifolium strongly contribute in enhancing sexual health and libido in males. It is possible to use the plant extract in the management of erectile related dysfunction.
Keywords:
Erectile dysfunction; FSH; Libido; LH; Testosterone
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