Effect of Ethanolic Extract from Seeds or Pods of Xylopia Aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich (Annonaceae) on the Testicular Function of Adult Male Rats

Abstract

(Annonaceae) is used in some folk medicines and widely consumed as a spice in some parts of Nigeria. Its efficacy as an anti-androgenic substance has warranted the attention of African scholars. This study evaluated the enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), sperm quality (motility, count, morphology), testosterone level and histo-pathological changes of the testis of rats chronically treated with ethanolic extract of the pods (without seeds), seeds, and fruits (pods + seeds) of Male Wistar (224-246 g) rats were treated with the extract of the pods, seeds, and fruits of at the dose of 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body wt. for 60 days. Serum biochemistry, sperm quality and histo-pathological examination of the testis were assessed for any treatment-related adverse effects. After treatment with testosterone level was decreased dose-dependently in the animals treated with the seed extract compared to all other groups. The enzymatic activities of LDH and γ-GT were higher in rats treated with the seed and fruit extracts compared with those treated with the pods. The numbers of motile sperm, and counts were decreased while the numbers of sperm with morphological defects were higher in rats treated with the seed and fruit extracts compared to the control. Histopathological changes of the testis were also more severe in rats treated with the highest dose of the seed extract. We conclude that the compounds related to the anti-infertility effects of are present in the seeds.

Telfairia occidentalis-supplemented diet induces changes in sperm parameters and testosterone level in rats

“…It is believed that viable concentrations of testosterone are required for commencement and continuation of spermatogenic process and a reduction in the level of androgen biosynthesis provokes aberrant sperm function (Abarikwu, Olufemi, et al., ). Sperm quality parameters are always reported to be poor in experimental models where testosterone level is low (Abarikwu, Ogunlaja, et al., ; Adisa et al., ; Eboetse et al., ; Kassem et al., ). Interestingly, in our study, rats fed with TO diets at 10% and 15% showed a nonsignificant increase in testosterone level, while rats exposed to 30% TO diet had lower concentration of testosterone.…”

“…Thus, recent research paradigm focuses on herbal remedies and dietary food supplements as a means of solving health challenges and social problems (Eboetse et al., ; Eisenberg et al., ). However, there is growing experimental evidence indicating that some of these dietary food supplements, fruits, vegetables and seeds have antifertility effects (Abarikwu, Ogunlaja, Otuechere, & Gideon, ; Chauhan & Agarwal, ; Koriem, ). For instance, fenugreek seed‐supplemented diet was reported to induce male infertility by targeting the testes.…”

“…The extract of Phyllanthus niruri , a medicinal plant used as an antimalarial agent, was shown to possess antifertility properties by reducing testosterone concentration and distorting the seminiferous tubules of rats (Asare et al., ). Furthermore, the extract of Xylopia aethiopica seeds used in folklore medicine was also reported to alter sperm parameters and testosterone levels in rats (Abarikwu, Ogunlaja, et al., ).…”

Cytotoxic Assessment of Xylopia aethiopica [Dun.] A. on Human Prostate and Breast Cancer Cell Lines

“…This suggests that it may be useful in the management of prostate cancer. Although there are reports of reduction in sperm count and motility from the administration of X. aethiopica, 22,23 Abarikwu et al 24 reported that the compounds with infertility effects were found in the seeds than the pods. Also, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are usually advanced in age and may not be too keen about procreating.…”

Effect of xylopic acid on alloxan-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats

“…12 XA has shown to have antiandrogenic activity in orchiectomized rats. 13 Neuropharmacological effects of an ethanolic fruit extract of X. aethiopica and XA, a kaurene diterpene isolate, in mice has also been established. 14 Research undertaken by Woode et al indicated that XA has reversible spermatotoxic, antifertility and anti-androgenic properties, the mechanism of which could involve a direct effect on the germ cells and other cells of the testes with a potential involvement of the hypothalamic, pituitary and gonadal axis.…”