Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
10.22087/hmj.v8i2.977
Abstract
Background and Aim: Medicinal plant extracts are still commonly used in folk medicine in developing countries. The seed of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) is a very expensive food legume in Nigeria. Previous studies on S. stenocarpa plant have proven it to be of an outstanding medical significance. Hence, this study investigated the reproductive-enhancing potentials of methanol extracts of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seeds in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 144 adult rats were used for the experiment. They were divided into 4 groups (A – D) and replicated trice. Group A served as the normal control, while groups B, C and D received three graded doses (800, 1200 and 1600 mg/kg) of the extracts respectively by oral intubation. The rats' gonad characteristics, sperm parameters and hormonal analyses were determined weekly using standard procedures starting from week 0 (day 1) to week 12. The data were analyzed statistically using ANOVA. Results: The mean weekly gonad characteristics of the male rats in the treatment groups showed overall dose and duration-dependent significant differences compared with the control. The body weights of the male rats significantly reduced (p<0.05), whereas the testes weights, gonad somatic index, sperm count and sperm motility of the rats significantly increased (p<0.05). Testosterone responded to the plant extracts. The testosterone levels of all the treated rats significantly increased. Conclusion: The methanol seed extracts of S. stenocarpa demonstrated an overall potency to enhance the reproduction in the Wistar rats.
Ugonna Ugokwe,C. , Ebere Ogbuke,F. , Chikwendu Ejere,V. and Effiong Eyo,J. (2023). Reproductive-Enhancing Potentials of Methanol Extracts of Sphenostylis stenocarpa Seeds in Male Wistar Rats. Herbal Medicines Journal, 8(2), 79-87. doi: 10.22087/hmj.v8i2.977
MLA
Ugonna Ugokwe,C. , , Ebere Ogbuke,F. , , Chikwendu Ejere,V. , and Effiong Eyo,J. . "Reproductive-Enhancing Potentials of Methanol Extracts of Sphenostylis stenocarpa Seeds in Male Wistar Rats", Herbal Medicines Journal, 8, 2, 2023, 79-87. doi: 10.22087/hmj.v8i2.977
HARVARD
Ugonna Ugokwe C., Ebere Ogbuke F., Chikwendu Ejere V., Effiong Eyo J. (2023). 'Reproductive-Enhancing Potentials of Methanol Extracts of Sphenostylis stenocarpa Seeds in Male Wistar Rats', Herbal Medicines Journal, 8(2), pp. 79-87. doi: 10.22087/hmj.v8i2.977
CHICAGO
C. Ugonna Ugokwe, F. Ebere Ogbuke, V. Chikwendu Ejere and J. Effiong Eyo, "Reproductive-Enhancing Potentials of Methanol Extracts of Sphenostylis stenocarpa Seeds in Male Wistar Rats," Herbal Medicines Journal, 8 2 (2023): 79-87, doi: 10.22087/hmj.v8i2.977
VANCOUVER
Ugonna Ugokwe C., Ebere Ogbuke F., Chikwendu Ejere V., Effiong Eyo J. Reproductive-Enhancing Potentials of Methanol Extracts of Sphenostylis stenocarpa Seeds in Male Wistar Rats. Herb Med J, 2023; 8(2): 79-87. doi: 10.22087/hmj.v8i2.977