The Effect of Kuchala (Arum Korolkowii Regel, 1873) Tuber Tincture to Increase of the Serum Testosterone in the Adult Male Guinea Pigs (Cavia Porcellus Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

Background: Kuchala (Arum korolkowii Regel) is a medicinal plant often used in folk medicine in the Kyrgyz Republic. As a medicinal raw material, the tuber’s tincture is used in small doses to increase human sexual potency. However, there is no scientific evidence in support of the medicinal effects of kuchala. For these reasons, we decided to study the pharmacological effect of kuchala tuber tincture on the sexual potency of adult male guinea pigs. We analyzed the effect of kuchala at the age of ±48-months, in 12 male guinea pigs. A preparation of 10% tuber tincture of kuchala in 70% ethanol was administered perorally to the male guinea pigs in the form of a once-daily dose of 150 µl for 30 days. The study data were obtained by ethological, hematological and serum biochemistry, gross anatomical, histological and statistical methods.Results: The hematological and serum biochemistry parameters were significantly different between the control and the experimental group. The neutrophils’ percentage in the experimental group was significantly lower (dР < 0.001) than in the control group. On the other hand, the lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the experimental group (dР < 0.001). The RBC counts, Hgb, Hct, MCH and MCHC were significantly higher in the experimental group (dР < 0.001; dР < 0.001; cР < 0.01; dР < 0.001; dР < 0.001 respectively) than in the control group. In contrast, the color indicator and the mean platelet volume were higher (bР < 0.05) and significantly higher (dР < 0.001) respectively in the control group than in the experimental group. The ALT and AST levels were lower in the experimental than in the control group (both dР < 0,001). The testosterone concentration in serum was much higher (dР < 0,001) in the experimental group. Microscopically, some structural damages were found in the liver of the experimental animals indicating a metabolic disorder. However, the testes showed an improvement in spermatogenesis in the experimental compared with the control group.Conclusions: The 10% kuchala tuber tincture in 70% ethanol has a positive effect in terms of improving the sexual potency of adult guinea pigs by increasing the production of testosterone and increasing spermatogenesis.