Dasofunjo. K^1,2, Nwodo OFC ¹, Ezugwu H.C,^1,3, Atunka E.A⁴, Onah L.N⁵

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria ²Department of Medical Biochemistry, Cross River University of Technology, Okuku Campus, P.M.B 1123, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

³ Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Mkar, P.M.B 017, Mkar, Benue State, Nigeria

⁴Department of Human Physiology, Cross River University of Technology, Okuku Campus, P.M.B 1123, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Enugu State University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria .

Email: dasokay22@gmail.com

Introduction: The quest for the safe herbal remedy for the management of erectile dysfunction and their relationship with male sexual hormones prompted this research.

Aims and Objectives: It is aimed at determining the effect of orally administered ethanol leaf extract of P. thonningii on some reproductive hormones of male Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods :Ethanol extract of the leaf were first screened for the presence of bioactive phyto-constituent using standard methods. Twenty (20)Wistar rats were randomly assigned on the basis of average body weight into four (4) groups of five rats each following acclimatization to laboratory and handling conditions. Animals in group A (control) were administered placebo (1ml) of olive oil. Group B, C and D were administered graded doses of 50, 100 and 200mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. Extract administration lasted for twenty one (21) days. Water and standard feeds were allowed ad libitum. At the end of dose administration, animals were sacrificed and blood obtained by cardiac puncture for reproductive hormonal profile using ELISA method and testes were removed for histological examination.

Results :The bioactive phyto-constituents identified were tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrate, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, steroids and triterpene. The extract also produced dosage dependent increase (P<0.05) in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone respectively following the administration of the extract with no evidence of pathological lesion on the testes.

Conclusion : It appears that the alteration in fertility hormones in the serum of treated animals might be due to the presence of bioactive constituents. It is speculated that this extract might improve sexual health, sexual activities and libido.

Keywords :Erectile dysfunction, Piliostigma thonningii, Reproductive hormones, Wistar rats