@article {975, title = {A Phytochemical Analysis and In vivo Effects of an Herbal Aphrodisiac Newtonia hildebrandtii on Male Wistar Rat Reproductive System}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {August 2020}, pages = {243-249}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {243}, abstract = {

Background: The study was aimed at screening phytochemicals and evaluating the effects of aqueous and 50\% (v/v) methanol stem bark extracts of Newtonia hildebrandtii on male rat reproductive system. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups and were given different treatments of N. hildebrandtii extracts at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. After 8 weeks, body and right testis weight, sperm concentration, hormonal levels, and histological structure of the testis were evaluated. Calorimetric method was used for quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds, whereas gas chromatography{\textendash}mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for fingerprinting of chemical compounds. Results: Testosterone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were significantly increased, whereas prolactin levels were significantly decreased in the treated groups compared to the control. Sperm parameters were significantly increased compared to the control. Treated animals showed significant increases in body weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, and germinal epithelial height with the testes showing all the stages of spermatogenesis. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, steroids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, phenols, and saponins. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of dimethylsilanediol; (R, R)-2,3-butanediol; hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane; succinimide; 1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acid, 1-(4-amino-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)-5-ethyl-, ethyl ester; l-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate; cis-13,16 docasadienoic acid, methyl ester; 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester; and 2-chloro-benzoic acid N{\textquoteright}-[2-(3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[1,4]thiazin-2-yl)-acetyl]-hydrazide. Conclusion: N. hildebrandtii appears to possess androgenic and anabolic effects. The aforementioned phytochemicals seem to be responsible for its aphrodisiac effects. This study supports the ethno-aphrodisiac claims that have been made against it.

}, keywords = {Antioxidants, DPPH, Estradiol, Seminiferous tubule, Sperm concentration, Spermatogenesis, Testosterone, Total flavonoids, Total phenols}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_112_19}, author = {Thomson Msiska and Anthony Mwakikunga and David Tembo and Fanuel Lampiao} } @article {706, title = {Synergistic Effect of the Hydroalcoholic Extract from Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae) and Fagara tessmannii (Rutaceae) on Male Sexual Organs and Hormone Level in Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {December,2013}, pages = { 80-86}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = { 80-86}, abstract = {

Background: Lepidium meyenii is a plant, which has been used in folk medicine to treat infertility and to increase sexual desire. However, few reports have investigated the administration of this plant with other plants having the same properties. Objective: The present investigation was designed to evaluate whether the combination of Lepidium meyenii and Fagara tessmannii can improve spermatogenesis and testosterone level in rats. Materials and Method: Twenty male rats were treated daily for 2 weeks with the hydroalcoholic extract of Fagara tessmannii and Lepidium meyenii (Fag + MN) as follow: (vehicle), (0.01 g + 0.5 mg), (0.1 g + 5 mg) and (1 g+ 50 mg)/kg BW. Results: At doses Fag 0.01 g/MN 0.5 mg and Fag 0.1 g/MN 5 mg, the weight of seminal vesicle, prostate, and testis significantly decreased (P \< 0.05) while at dose Fag 1 g/MN 50 mg, the weight of epididymis and testis significantly increased (P \< 0.05) when compared to the control. We noticed a significant increase of the number of spermatids/test (P \< 0.05), epididymis sperm count (P \< 0.05), and DSP/test of the rats at dose Fag 1 g/MN 50 mg while at dose Fag 0.01 g/MN 0.5 mg and Fag 0.1 g/MN 5 mg, sperm count was reduced in male organs, particularly in vas deferens (P \< 0.05) and epididymis (P \< 0.001). The serum testosterone concentration significantly decreased (P \< 0.05) at lowest dose Fag 0.01 g/MN 0.5 mg. However, at highest dose Fag 1 g/MN 50 mg, the serum testosterone concentration increased significantly (P \< 0.05). The length of stage VII-VIII and IX-I of the seminiferous tubule significantly (P \< 0.05) increased while the length of stage II-VI significantly (P \< 0.05) decreased. Conclusion: The results indicated that the combination of Lepidium meyenii (Black Maca) with Fagara tessmannii can improve male reproductive organs activities.

}, keywords = {Fagara tessmannii, Lepidium meyenii (Maca Negro), Spermatogenesis, Testosterone level}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.121451}, author = {Dieudonn{\'e} Massoma Lemb{\`e} and Manuel Gasco and GF Gonzales} } @article {896, title = {Effects of the Oral Administration of Nonpolar Extract from Ardisia squamulosa Presl (Myrsinaceae) Leaves on Spermatogenesis in Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {3}, year = {2011}, month = {November,2011}, pages = {260-265}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {260}, abstract = {

Background: Several Ardisia species have been found to possess numerous bioactivities but their reproductive toxicity has been poorly explored. In the present study, the effects of the leaf hexane extract of Philippine indigenous Ardisia squamulosa on epididymal sperm count, \%viability and \%aberration of sperms and weights of seminal vesicle, cauda epididymis, and testes in addition to the weights of liver, kidney, and body were evaluated. Methods: The extracts at daily dose levels of 1, 10, and 100 mg/Kg BW in 10\% polysorbate-80 in corn oil were administered by gavage for 8 successive days to 8-10 weeks old male SD rats and sacrificed after 9 days. Daily body weights and final organ weights were measured. Sperm from the cauda epididymis was extracted and measured according standard sperm parameters (sperm count, morphology, viability and membrane integrity). Results: Significant findings were the decline of left epididymal sperm count to testis weight ratio and increase in \%sperm morphological aberration from both cauda epididymis obtained with the 10 mg/Kg BW dose. Conclusion: The hexane extract from Ardisia squamulosa had significant effect on sperm count but with negligible effect on sperm morphology and viability.

}, keywords = {Myrsinaceae, Sperm count, Sperm morphology, Spermatogenesis}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.89747}, author = {Dennis D. Raga and Glorina N. Pocsidio and Annabelle A. Herrera} }