Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius on the testis and blood testosterone level of adult Wistar rats

Abstract

Background: The extract of Corchorus olitorius has a reasonable content of vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and fibre, and therefore enjoys a universal application in the treatment of some disease conditions, even as the whole leaf is a very important component of food in so many cultures. Purpose: The study was designed to investigate the effect of Corchorus olitorius extracts on the testis of adult Wistar rats. Method: A total number of thirty two adult Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 200 grammes separated into four groups labeled A,B,C and D respectively were used for the study. Animals in group A which served as the control group were fed with the normal rat chow and water only. The group B rats were administered 100mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Corchorus olitorus; while those in group C were administered 500mg/kg body weight of the extract. The group D rats received 1000mg/kg body weight of the extract. For a period of four weeks, the different experimental animal groups received the respective aforementioned treatments once daily, around nine- o’clock in the morning through oral intubation. At the end of the 28 day treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the testes harvested for histological, investigation, and through cardiac puncture, blood samples for some hormonal studies was also collected and investigated using standard laboratory standards. Results: Observations made showed that the extract produced no histological distortions, degenerative or defective effects on the testicular tissues. The testosterone levels of group B, C, and D rats were observed to be significantly higher (P<0.005) than that of the group A (control group).ound: The extract of Corchorus olitorius has a reasonable content of vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and fibre, and therefore enjoys a universal application in the treatment of some disease conditions, even as the whole leaf is a very important component of food in so many cultures. Purpose: The study was designed to investigate the effect of Corchorus olitorius extracts on the testis of adult Wistar rats. Method: A total number of thirty two adult Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 200 grammes separated into four groups labeled A,B,C and D respectively were used for the study. Animals in group A which served as the control group were fed with the normal rat chow and water only. The group B rats were administered 100mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Corchorus olitorus; while those in group C were administered 500mg/kg body weight of the extract. The group D rats received 1000mg/kg body weight of the extract. For a period of four weeks, the different experimental animal groups received the respective aforementioned treatments once daily, around nine- o’clock in the morning through oral intubation. At the end of the 28 day treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the testes harvested for histological, investigation, and through cardiac puncture, blood samples for some hormonal studies was also collected and investigated using standard laboratory standards. Results: Observations made showed that the extract produced no histological distortions, degenerative or defective effects on the testicular tissues. The testosterone levels of group B, C, and D rats were observed to be significantly higher (P<0.005) than that of the group A (control group).