European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF Garcinia Kola SEED ON SOME REPRODUCTIVE INDICES IN MALE RODENTS

Essien Grace Emmanuel, *Effiong Grace Sylvester and Nwafor Paul Alozie

ABSTRACT

Effects of drugs on reproduction have profound consequences on individuals and the society. Garcinia kola seed is an important ingredient in materials medica of traditional herbal medical practice, which is also known to have effects on reproduction. The present study was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents of G kola seed, ascertain the effect of Garcinia kola seed extract on fertility indices in rodents, determine whether G.kola seed extract possesses aphrodisiac activity and ascertain the effect of the extract on reproductive hormones using standard methods. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. The extract also caused significant increase (bp< 0.01, cp<0.001) in serum testosterone level (200 mg/kg=41.50±0.67c ng/ml, 300 mg/kg=47.50±67b ng/ml) when compared with the control (27.70± 1.79 ng/ml). However, there were no pathologic lesions on the male gonads. Conclusively, these findings agree with the folkloric reports that G. kola seeds are used as aphrodisiacs in men as sexual drive (libido) in matured rats was improved.

Keywords: Garcinia kola, herbal medicine, phytochemical constituents, aphrodisiac, reproductive hormones, fertility indices.