Effects ofAnthocleista djalonensisroot extracts on reproductive hormones and testicular marker enzymes in adult male Wistar rats

Abstract

| INTRODUC TI ONMale fertility is controlled by a complex assortment of pituitarygonadal hormones and steroidogenic enzymes, and each of these enzymes works synergistically to maintain the proper function of the testis. The endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis is complex and consists of response mechanism involving hormones from hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland and the reproductive organ (Wahab, Mokhtar, Halim, & Das, 2010). The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is synthesised and discharged from the hypothalamus, binds to the receptor of the anterior pituitary, and in response to this stimulatory action, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone are secreted and released. The effect of luteinising hormone on the Leydig cells stimulates the production Abstract This study evaluated the effect of methanol and aqueous ethanol root extracts (200 mg/kg body weight) of Anthocleista djalonensis on sex hormone concentrations and testicular marker enzymes of adult rats after 60 days of administration followed by 60 days of treatment withdrawal. The results showed no significant changes in testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels during the 60 days of extract treatment. Interestingly, 60 days after treatment withdrawal, there was an increase in intratesticular and serum testosterone and serum FSH in the methanol but not aqueous ethanol extract post-treatment groups. Intratesticular 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity remained unaffected while that of 17β-HSD increased slightly during treatment of both extracts and the increase reached a statistical significance level (p < .05) during post-treatment. Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity in the testis of the methanol but not aqueous ethanol extract-treated animals remained high during post-treatment compared to initial treatment values.Phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts showed that phenol and flavonoid constituents were higher in the methanol than the aqueous ethanol extract and has higher antioxidant activity. Altogether, post-treatment effect of the extract on the testis was more effective than treatment-related effect and the methanol extract appears to have better and consistent effects on the investigated parameters probably due to higher antioxidant activity conferred to it by its phenolic and flavonoid contents. K E Y W O R D SAnthocleista djalonensis, enzymes, hormones, post-treatment, testis How to cite this article: Ezirim CY, Abarikwu SO, Uwakwe AA.Effects of Anthocleista djalonensis root extracts on reproductive hormones and testicular marker enzymes in adult male Wistar rats. Andrologia. 2019;51:e13442. https ://doi.

Chemical characterization and biological abilities of Anthocleista djalonensis collected from two locations of Ivory Coast

“…However, Ngwoke et al (2018) were investigated the DPPH scavenging ability of various extracts from stem barks of Anthocleista nobilis and the best ability was found in the ethyl acetate with the lowest IC 50 (220 µg/ mL). In the study of Ezirim et al (2019), phytochemical analysis of root extracts of A. djalonensis also showed that phenol and flavonoid constituents were higher in the methanol than in the aqueous ethanol extract and also had higher antioxidant activity. Therefore, this is in agreement with the findings obtained herein, showing methanol to be a better solvent to yield higher phytochemical content and antioxidant potential.…”

Proximate Composition, Comparative Phytochemical Analysis, and HPLC Profiling of Various Solvent Extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis Leaves

“…Traditionally, these parts are prepared as decoctions or macerations using culturally accepted and available solvents like local gin or hot/boiling water and administered orally. Previous studies have shown that different parts of Anthocleista djalonensis may have useful medical properties, such as antidiabetic, antimalarial, antipyretic, anthelmintic, antimycobacterial, antibacterial, and wound healing properties [3,4,5]. These medicinal properties of Anthocleista djalonensis makes its worthy to be explored for both traditional and modern medical benefits.…”

In-vitro comparative study of solvent effect on antioxidant properties of leaf extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis

“…Anthocleista djalonensis (A. djalonensis), commonly known as the cabbage tree, belongs to the Gentianaceae family, is widely found in the tropical rainforests of West Africa [1], and stands out for its acknowledged traditional usage in herbal medicine in Nigeria. Various parts of this plant have been shown in scientific reports to have anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, analgesic, antifungal, and antimalarial properties [2][3][4].…”