The Phytochemical constituents and the effects of methanol extracts of<i> Phyllanthus amarus</i> leaves (kidney stone plant) on the hormonal parameters of Male guinea pigs.

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The effects of the methanolic extracts of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus on the hormonal parameters of male Guinea pigs were investigated. The phytochemical screening of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus was also carried out. The hormonal parameters investigated are testosterone, Leutinizing and Follicle stimulating hormone. The methanolic extract of the Phyllanthus amarus leaves (50-800mg/kg) caused a statistically significance increase ( P < 0.001, ANOVA) in the level of Testosterone of the male Guinea pigs, from 2.3 ± 0.06 to 3.9 ± 0.05, 4.3 ± 0.6 and 2.8 ± 0.6 after the 7, 14 th and 21 st day of the administration of the extracts respectively . The highest increase was obtained after 14 th day of treatment (4.3 ±.05). These effects were very comparable to the effects of Vitamin E on the testosterone of male Guinea pigs, which were obtained to be 3.0 ± 0.01, 3.1 ± 0.16 and 2.4 ± 0.30 for 7, 14 th and 21 st day respectively. These effects were dose-and time-dependents. The optimum effects (4.3 ±.05) were obtained at 400mg/kg of Phyllanthus amarus. Furthermore, the methanol extracts of Phyllanthus amarus (800mg/kg) caused an insignificant change in the levels of Leutenizing (LH) and Follicle stimulating (FSH) hormones from 3.1±0.22 and 1.6±0.50 to 3.0 ±0.08 and 1.5 ± 0.13 respectively. These effects were also comparable to the effects of Vitamin E on these hormones. Finally, the phytochemical screening of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. This may support or justify the claims on the use of the aerial part of this plant by traditional medicine practitioners to increase/improve libido and reproductive function in men. Although further studies need to be done to investigate the contribution of the seeds of this plant in the improvement of libido in men; also to isolate and characterize the active principles in the leaf extracts. @ JASEM

Effect of Phyllanthus amarus on Some Reproductive Indices of Male Albino Rats

“…The reduction in weight of testes and epididymes significantly influenced some reproductive parameters like sperm motility, sperm viability, sperm count and sperm head abnormalities when compared with the male rats in control group. This is agreeably with the reports of Obianime and Uche [23], Ogbomade et al [24] who observed dose-dependent decreases in the reproductive parameters due to the effect of Phyllanthus amarus extract administered to male guinea pigs and male wistar albino rats respectively.…”

Phyllanthus amarus: Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology: A review

“…Methanolic extract of P. amarus leaves (50-800 mg/kg) caused a statistically significant increase in the level of testosterone of the male guinea pigs, from 2.3 ± 0.06 to 3.9 ± 0.05, 4.3 ± 0.6 and 2.8 ± 0.6 after the 7th, 14th and 21st day of the administration of the extracts, respectively. Furthermore, the methanolic extract of P. amarus (800 mg/kg) caused an insignificant change in the level of leutenizing (LH) and follicle stimulating (FSH) hormones from 3.1 ± 0.22 and 1.6 ± 0.50 to 3.0 ± 0.08 and 1.5 ± 0.13, respectively (Obianime and Uche, 2009). …”

Effects of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of Xylopia Aethiopica on the Reproductive Functions of Male Rats

“…On the other hand, several lines have indicated that flavonoids possess reproductive and pharmacological properties [23][24][25]. Firstly, these flavonoids could directly act as antioxidants at the target cells and by this way contribute to the improvement of fertility [26]; secondly, they could maintain the synthesis of androgens by inhibiting 17β estradiol aromatase, which is the enzyme involve for the conversion of testosterone to estrogen [27].…”