Effects of Cissus populnea and Panax ginseng on Flutamide-Induced Testicular Defect in Pre-Pubertal Male Rats
A. A. Oremosu
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
V. O. Arowosaye
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
E. N. Akang
Department of Anatomy, Benue State University, Nigeria.
R. B. Bassey *
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study was carried out to determine the effects of Cissus populnea and Panax ginseng on flutamide-induced testicular toxicities in pre-pubertal rats.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos – Nigeria, between May and December 2010.
Methodology: 20 male immature (25 days old) Wistar rats were used. They were randomly divided into 4 groups; 1 control and 3 treatment groups. Group A served as control, group B was administered flutamide and Cissus populnea, group C was administered flutamide and Panax ginseng and group D was administered flutamide alone. Body weight and testicular weights were measured. Hormonal assay for testosterone, FSH and LH were done using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Histopathology of the testis was also investigated.
Result: There were no statistically significant differences in serum testosterone levels in all three treatment groups when compared with the control group. There was a significant increase in the serum LH level in group D when compared with the control group (p<0.05). Serum FSH level in group B showed a significant increase when compared with the control group (p<0.05). The histological evidences of testis in group D showed a reduction in lining cells of the seminiferous tubules; however, in the other three treatment groups they were similar to the control group.
Conclusion: The results suggest that Cissus populnea and Panax ginseng ameliorates the adverse effects of flutamide on the testis.
Keywords: Cissus populnea, Panax ginseng, flutamide, testis.