Abstract

EVALUATION OF THE ANDROGENIC POTENTIALITIES OF THE HYDRO-ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF THE TRUNK BARKS OF STRYCHNOS CAMPTONEURA (LONGANIACEAE) IN THE WISTAR RAT

*Akassa Herman, Peneme Bonaventure Max Lazard, Morabandza Cyr Jonas, Etou Ossibi Arnaud Wilfrid and Abena Ange Antoine

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the androgenic potentialities of the hydroethanolic extract of Strychnos camptoneura trunk bark. The administration of the hydroethanolic extract of Strychnos camptoneura (100 and 250 mg /kg/, po) in rats resulted in significant increases (P < 0.05) in body weight from day 6 (108.28±0.32%; 108.43±1.64%) to day 26 (129.12±2.24%; 124.77±4.27%) against (105.63±3.71% and 123.62±2.46%) for the negative control lot. These results also showed a non-significant increase (P˃0.05) in the relative weight of testes, vas deferens and seminal vesicles in the rats treated with the extract (100 et 250 mg /kg/, po) compared to the negative controls. In addition, the relative weight of epididymides in rats treated with Strychnos camptoneura extract (100 and 250 mg/kg) was significantly increased (P < 0.01) compared to the negative control lot. Strychnos camptoneura extract (100 and 250 mg /kg) in rats induced a significant increase (P < 0.01) in serum testosterone levels compared to negative controls. Testicular testosterone was significant (P < 0.01) only at 100 mg/kg Strychnos camptoneura. Serum and testicular cholesterol levels were significantly decreased (P < 0 .05) only in rats treated with Strychnos camptoneura extract at doses of 100 and 250 mg /kg respectively compared to negative controls. The chemical profile of the extract revealed the presence of total polyphenols and flavonoids. These results suggest that the hydroethanol extract of Strychnos camptoneura has androgenic potentialities and justify its use in Congolese traditional medicine in the treatment of male infertility.

Keywords: Strychnos camptoneura, androgenic and male infertility.