Objective : The aim of this study is to determine the pharmacological effects and the estrogenic properties of Amaranthus viridis leaves on the reproductive function of animal model (female rat). Methods : Vaginal smears performed 9 days before treatment allowed to select female rats having alternated on two cycles a regularity. Thereafter, the selected rats were administered by gavage daily for 28 days taking care of smear every morning at 7am from the first day of treatment follow the evolution of the cycle. For this study 20 nulliparous rats, 2 months old, weighing between 120-150 g. The first group (control) was administered with olive oil and the other three batches received respectively the doses 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of the methanolic extract of Amaranthus viridis. At the end of the 28-day treatment, ovary and uterine horn were removed, histological and hormonal parameters were studied for determine pharmacological effects of methanolic extract of Amaranthus viridis. Results : The extract caused a disturbances of the cycle according to the doses administered. Disturbances at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg PC are significant. The calculation of the total duration of the different phases of the cycle revealed very significant increases in the estrous phase (P<0.01) by 22.79 % and 17.13 % at the respective doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w compared to control. Non-significant difference was recorded on FSH, LH and estradiol level. On progesterone level, administration of the methanolic extract showed a significant difference at dose of 600 mg/kg b.w compared to control. On histological structure of the ovary, the presence of active and degenerate corpus luteum, secondary follicles depending on the dose administered were recored. Conclusion : The results showed that the methanolic extract of Amaranthus viridis contain estrogenic substances or estrogen-like substances according to a dose-dependent mechanism, with high estrogenic potential at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w . Keywords: vaginal smears, Amaranthus viridis, methanolic extract, histology

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.

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