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The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the blood pressure of anaesthetized cats, as well as on the liver and kidney status of the rabbit were investigated in this study. The results revealed that, the extract produced a small fall in the blood pressure of the anaesthetized cat and also reduced the effect of adrenaline-induced elevation of blood pressure. In rabbits, biochemical analysis of serum was carried out; urea and creatinine were used as tests of its effect on the renal function while alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) served as enzyme indices of the liver function. In addition, the tissues of the liver and kidney were microscopically examined. The treated rabbits showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in their serum creatinine accompanied by significant increase in their serum urea (P < 0.05). No significant changes of these biochemical parameters were seen in the serum of control animals. While a significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in the activity of the ALP of the treated animals, a non-significant increase (P > 0.05) was recorded in the AST and ALT aminotransferases of both the treated and control animals. The increase recorded in the treated group was much higher (8.64 and 13.63%) as compared to the control group (0.69 and 7.05%). The histopathological examination of the kidney and liver of treated animals showed shrunken glomeruli with increased urinary space, mild necrosis of the tubules and hyaline droplets, while the liver tissue revealed necrosis of the liver cells, lymphocytic infiltration and pericuffing of the bile duct. The control animals, however, showed normal histological structure. In addition after 4 weeks of treatment, body weight in the control group was significantly higher than those in the treated group. It was concluded that the pharmacological basis for the use of B. pinnatum among the Igbos of Nigeria to lower blood pressure was established by this study. However, the facts that the reduction in blood pressure produced is slight and the B. pinnatum leaf extract is potentially organotoxic negate its use as a blood pressure lowering agent.

The outcomes of drug treatment for male infertility remain conjectural, with controversial study results. Our pilot study employed a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover methodology with intention-to-treat analysis. Thirty-three men with idiopathic oligospermia were randomized to start either daily oral lisinopril 2.5 mg (n = 17) or daily oral placebo (n = 16). Lisinopril was found to cause a normalization of seminal parameters in 53.6% of the participants. Although the mean ejaculate volume was unchanged (P ≥ 0.093), the total sperm cell count and the percentage of motile sperm cells increased (P ≤ 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas the percentage of sperm cells with abnormal morphology decreased (P ≤ 0.04). The pregnancy rate was 48.5%, and there was no serious adverse drug event. It is concluded, albeit cautiously, that prolonged treatment with 2.5 mg/day of oral lisinopril may be well tolerated in normotensive men with idiopathic oligospermia, may improve sperm quantity and quality, and may enhance fertility in approximately half of those treated.

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