Antispermatogenic Activity of Aspilia africana Methanol Leaf Extract in Male Wistar Rats
Asuquo Olaitan Ruth *
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, P.M.B. 1115, Nigeria.
Eluwa Mokutima Amarachi
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, P.M.B. 1115, Nigeria.
Mesembe Otu Effiong
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, P.M.B. 1115, Nigeria.
Ekanem Theresa Bassey
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, P.M.B. 1115, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Aspilia africana on the reproductive activity of male Wistar rats.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in the Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria between January to April 2014.
Methodology: Four groups of rats were administered with different doses (100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg) of methanolic leaf extract of Aspilia africana for 52 days. The control rats received vehicle. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed; body and reproductive organ weights were measured. Serum testosterone level was analyzed, histology of testis was accessed.
Results: Aspilia africana leaf extract did not cause any change in body weights of experimental animals, however, it significantly decreased the weight of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland of experimental animals. Serum testosterone was also significantly reduced in the experimental groups. Testes of experimental animals showed varying degree of degeneration such as disorganized epithelial cells, cytoplasmic abnormalities, and fibrosis compared to control.
Conclusion: Methanolic leaf extract of Aspilia africana has the potential of an antispermatogenic agent; therefore its exploitation as an antifertility agent is possible.
Keywords: Antispermatogenic, cell erosion, degeneration, fibrosis, testosterone