European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF THE HYDROETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACTS OF SOLANUM AETHIOPICUM (GARDEN EGG) ON THE CONCENTRATION OF REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES AND HISTOLOGY OF THE TESTIS OF MALE WISTAR RATS

Nwaorgu Uloma Queen*, Ojeka Sunday Ogbu and Zabbey Victor Zigabelbari

ABSTRACT

Solanum aethiopicum forms part of Nigerian foods and indigenous medicines and it is commonly consumed. This study evaluated the effects of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of solanum aethiopicum on the concentration of reproductive hormones and histology of the testis of male Wistar rats. 40 adult male rats with average weight of 245g were used for the study. The rats were divided into four groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 served as control and received only distilled water while groups 2, 3 and 4 served as the experimental groups and received 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg of Solanum aethiopicum leaf extract respectively for 30 days, after which half of the rats in each group were sacrificed while the rest were allowed for another 30days without the administration, to evaluate the effects of discontinued administration of the extract. The effects of the extract on the serum levels of Testosterone, Follicle-stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone and Histology of the testis were evaluated. The results showed a significant increase in the concentration of all the reproductive hormones in the test groups in a dose dependent manner, which reversed significantly upon discontinued administration. The histology of the testis in the extract treated groups showed improved spermatogenic features, when compared with the control. It was therefore concluded that the hydroethanolic leaf extract of S. aethiopicum can boost the production of the reproductive hormones and preserve the histology of the testis and its continuous intake may improve fertility in male Wistar rats.

Keywords: Sperm, Solanum, Hormones, Reproductive, Administration and Extract.