This research was aimed at evaluating the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on some reproductive hormones of male Wistar rats. Eighteen (18) male Wistar rats weighing 120-200 g were divided into three (3) groups of six (6) animals each. The animals were allowed to undergo acclimatisation period for seven days before the start of the research. Animals in group A served as the control, while group B and C were administered 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of G. latifolium, respectively. The administration was performed for 14 days. Twelve hours after the last administration, the rats were sacrificed and cardiac puncture procedure was used to collect the blood for some reproductive hormonal analysis. The extract produced a (P<0.05) significant increase in serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone respectively at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg body weight compared to normal control and progesterone produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in all experimental groups compared with normal control. The extract was found to contain alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, and glycosides at varying concentrations. The rich phytochemicals in the extract of Gongronema latifolium strongly contribute in enhancing sexual health and libido in males. It is possible to use the plant extract in the management of erectile related dysfunction.
The aqueous, ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Piliostigma thonningii Fabaceae (Leguminasae) – Caesalpinioidae were tested for bioactive and antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (Gram-negative) and Candida albicans (fungus). The ethanolic extracts inhibited the growth of the pathogenic organisms with zones of inhibition ranging from 6.40±0.42 mm to 10.0±0.22 mm while the aqueous and petroleum ether extracts seem to be ineffective. The leaves of Piliostigma thonningii have high concentrations of flavonoids, tannins, steroids, phlobatannins, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and alkaloids. The ability of the ethanolic extract of the leaves to inhibit the growth of the test bacteria and fungus is an indication of its antimicrobial potency which may be employed in the treatment of microbial infections and degenerative diseases.
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