Methanol Root Extract of Rhaphiostylis beninensis Planch Ex Benth (Icacinaceae) Reverses Alcohol-Induced Changes in Sex Hormones and Semen Quality in Male Rats

Josephine Omose Ofeimun; Buniyamin Adeshida Ayinde; Gerald Ikechi Eze

Josephine Omose Ofeimun University of Benin
Buniyamin Adeshida Ayinde Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Benin.
Gerald Ikechi Eze

Keywords: Rhaphiostylis beninensis, Icacinaceae, Male sex hormones, Alcohol-induced toxicity, Semen quality, Male rats

Abstract

The methanol root extract of Rhaphiostylis beninensis was investigated for its ability to reverse alcohol-induced changes in sex hormones and semen quality in male rats. Animals fed with alcohol for 30 days were concomitantly treated with 200, 400 mg/kg of the extract and Vitamin E as a positive reference. Blood collected from animals at end of the treatment period was analyzed for serum concentration of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Sperm parameters of count, motility, and morphology were also determined with the histo-anatomical evaluation of the testes. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum concentration of testosterone and progesterone was observed in the treated groups compared to the alcohol control group. The ratio of normal to abnormal sperm cells equally increased in extract-treated animals suggesting that the root extract of Rhaphiostylis beninensis may be useful in improving male fertility.

Author Biographies

Buniyamin Adeshida Ayinde, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Benin.

Professor of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin-city, Nigeria

Gerald Ikechi Eze

Professor of Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.