Aims: Distemonanthus benthamianus is a widespread plant in West Africa. The bark of its stem is used popularly to treat a variety of illnesses, including fever, bronchitis, rheumatism and malaria. The objective of this work is to evaluate the antipyretic activity of the aqueous extract of the bark of Distemonanthus benthamianus. Materials and Methods: The aqueous extract of the bark of D. benthamianus was tested for their acute oral toxicity in rats. Antipyretic activity was studied in rats of the Wistar strain made feverish after subcutaneous injection of an aqueous suspension of brewer's yeast (Saccharomycete cerevisiae) 20% compared to aspirin. Results: This study showed that administration of the extract at doses of 300, 2000 and 5000 mg / kg / kg dry extract in rats showed no acute toxicity or adverse effects. The results showed that the best antipyretic activity of the extract was recorded at a dose of 800 mg / kg, at the third hour, with a decrease in fever from 39.29 ± 0.14°C to 37.75 ± 0.25°C, i.e. a percentage inhibition of 57% against 62% for the standard molecule (p> 0.05). At this dose, CRP was 3.85 ± 0.1 mg / L compared to that of the healthy control which was 2.78 ± 0.35 mg / L. The results of the albumin assay did not show a significant difference between the treated and untreated fever groups and the healthy control group. In addition, the results showed that the leukocyte level in the feverish control rats is very high (18.84 103 / mm3 of leukocytes) compared to the healthy and treated control rats. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of the bark of Distemonanthus benthamianus is not oral toxic and has interesting antipyretic activities similar to aspirin. The results obtained confirm the validity of the traditional indication of this plant in the management of fever by African populations.

Les racines d’Hymenocardia acida sont utilisées dans la médecine traditionnelle africaine pour traiter principalement la dysfonction érectile. La présente étude vise à évaluer les effets de l’extrait aqueux des racines d’ Hymencardia acida sur la qualité du sperme de rats. Les différents composés chimiques de l’extrait aqueux des racines d’Hymenocardia acida ont été identifiés par des réactions en tube décrites dans la pharmacopée africaine. Deux groupes de quinze rats traités pendant 30 et 60 jours ont été repartis chacun en lot témoin, lot traité à 500 mg/kg et lot traité à 1000 mg/kg de poids corporel. La densité, la motilité et la morphologie des spermatozoïdes ont été évaluées selon des méthodes standards. Le taux de testostérone et le tissu testiculaire ont été étudiés. Le tri phytochimique a révélé la présence de polyphénols, de flavonoïdes, de tanins catéchiques, de saponosides, d’alcaloïdes et de stérols et polyterpènes. L’extrait a favorisé une augmentation significative (P < 0.05) du nombre de spermatozoïdes, des taux de spermatozoïdes mobiles et normaux dans l’épididyme caudal. Il a entrainé également une augmentation significative (P < 0.05) du taux de la testostérone sérique et a favorisé l’accroissement des spermatozoïdes dans les tubes séminifères. Les racines d’Hymenocardia acida améliorent la qualité du sperme des rats. Cela pourrait être dû en grande partie à l’augmentation du taux sérique de la testostérone.   Hymenocardia acida roots are used in traditional African medicine to treat mainly erectile dysfunction. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of Hymencardia acida roots on the quality of rat sperm. The different chemical compounds of the aqueous extract of the roots of Hymenocardia acida were identified by tube reactions described in the African pharmacopoeia. Two groups of fifteen rats treated for 30 and 60 days were divided into control, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight. Sperm density, motility and morphology were assessed by standard methods. Testosterone levels and testicular tissue were studied. Phytochemical sorting revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, catechic tannins, saponosides, alkaloids and sterols and polyterpenes. The extract promoted a significant (P < 0.05) increase in sperm count, motile and normal sperm rates in the caudal epididymis. It also caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum testosterone levels and promoted the increase of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules. Hymenocardia acida roots improve sperm quality in rats. This could be due in large part to the increase in serum testosterone levels.

The roots of Hymenocardia acida are used in traditional African medicine to treat mainly erectile dysfunction. This study aims to evaluate the lethal and sub-lethal toxicities of the aqueous extract of Hymenocardia acida roots in in two rodents species, namely Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus. The acute intraperitoneal and oral toxicities of the extract were determined by the method of Miller and Tainter. Subchronic oral toxicity with doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight was assessed according to the slightly modified OECD 408 method. The results showed that the 50% intraperitoneal lethal dose was 223.87 mg/kg body weight in mice. In addition, the 50% oral lethal dose in mice was greater than 12,000 mg/kg body weight. In the subchronic study, the extract induced a significant (P < .001) increase in white blood cell count at 1000 mg/kg body weight after 60 days of treatment. From the thirtieth day of treatment onwards, the extract induced a significant (P < .05) reduction in blood glucose levels at the 500 mg/kg body weight dose and a significant (P < .05) increase in blood glucose levels at the 1000 mg/kg body weight dose. Aqueous extract of Hymenocardia acida roots is toxic by the intraperitoneal route and exerts a non-specific immunity action at high doses. It was harmless to rats at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/Kg of body weight.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Poor management of hyperglycemia leads to complications that can reduce quality of life. Diabetes mellitus has been associated with damage to the reproductive system. The present study examines effects of diabetes mellitus on the reproductive system in alloxan-induced diabetic mice after one cycle of spermatogenesis. Materials and Methods: Twelve (12) mice divided into "control" and "diabetic" groups of six (6) animals each were used. Diabetes was induced in adult male mice by intraperitoneal injection with a single dose of 220 mg/kg body weight of alloxan. After 40 days, sperm density, morphology, and motility were assessed by standard methods. Serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH were measured. In addition, testes and epididymis were removed for histological study. Results: Highly significant (P < 0.001) reductions in serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels, as well as normal and motile sperm counts of 21% and 34% respectively were observed in the diabetic group. The control group had three times more sperm than the diabetic group. The histological increased inter-tubular spaces, loss of interstitial tissue, degeneration of seminiferous tubules, and almost complete reduction of sperm count in the epididymal duct. Conclusion: Chronic hyperglycemia is therefore deleterious to the male reproductive system of mice. It leads to hypogonadism, which causes dysfunction of the male reproductive system, and can lead to infertility in men with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease and one of the most common chronic disorders. Diabetes mellitus has been associated with impaired reproductive health, mainly in men. The present study aimed to evaluate effects of the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea leaves on the male reproductive system in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The determination of phenolic compounds content in the aqueous extract was performed by conventional methods. Diabetes was induced in adult male mice by intraperitoneal injection with a single dose of 220 mg/Kg body weight of alloxan. Animal’s treatment with 100 and 200 mg/Kg of body weight of the aqueous extract was started 34 days after induction of diabetes. Sperm density, morphology and motility were assessed by standard methods. Serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH were measured. In addition, the testes were removed for histological study. Proportions of total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins in the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea were 5260.32 +/- 26 mg EAG /100g, 1384.43 +/- 4 mg EQ /100g and 7380.95 +/- 121 mg EC /100g respectively. 100 and 200 mg/Kg of body weight doses induced highly significant (P ˂ .001) reductions of 68% and 71% in blood glucose levels respectively, significant (P ˂ .05) increases in testes weight of 9% and 10% respectively, highly significant (P ˂ .001) increases in testosterone, pituitary gonadotropins and sperm parameter levels. In addition, regeneration of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells was observed. Cnestis ferruginea leaves are rich in phenolic compounds. These compounds have anti-diabetic and fertilizing activities on the male reproductive system of diabetic mice.