Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Phytochemical profile and ameliorative effect of fractions of methanol root bark extract of Afzelia africana (Smith) of family Fabeceae on libido, testosterone and sperm characteristics of diabetic male rats

Rita I Odo , Chukwuka N Uchendu

Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria;

For correspondence:- Rita Odo Email: rita.odo@unn.edu.ng Tel:+2347033213630

Accepted: 19 July 2018 Published: 31 August 2018

Citation: Odo RI, Uchendu CN. Phytochemical profile and ameliorative effect of fractions of methanol root bark extract of Afzelia africana (Smith) of family Fabeceae on libido, testosterone and sperm characteristics of diabetic male rats. Trop J Pharm Res 2018; 17(8):1549-1555 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v17i8.12

© 2018 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the ameliorative potential of Afzelia africana (Smith) of family Fabeceae extract fractions on reproductive disorders associated with diabetes mellitus in diabetic male rats and the phytoconstituents of the active fraction.

Methods: Diabetic male rats were treated with the extract fractions and glibenclamide (standard anti-hyperglycemic agent) for 21 days, and their individual ameliorative effects on libido score (LS), testosterone level (TL), sperm motility (PSM) and epididymal sperm reserve (ESR) were determined and compared with those for diabetic untreated, and normal male rats.

Results: Optimum ameliorative potentials in respect of all the parameters measured were produced by fraction 3. There were significant increases in the results of fraction 3 (p < 0.05) when compared to the diabetic untreated group but did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from those of normal non diabetic rats. The TL and ESR of glibenclamide-treated group did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from fraction 3-treated and normal groups but its LS and PSM decreased significantly, compared to fraction 3-treated group and normal rats. Phytochemical analysis of fraction 3 revealed the presence of flavonoids.

Conclusion: Fraction 3 of the extract is a potential source of new classes of chemical agents that could be useful in ameliorating the reproductive dysfunction associated with diabetes in males.

Keywords: Diabetes, Sperm motility, Libido, Reproductive dysfunction, Afzelia africana, Glibenclamide