Male rat hormone imbalance, testicular changes and toxicity associated with aqueous leaf extract of an antimalarial plant: Phyllanthus niruri

George Awuku Asare, Kwasi Bugyei, Irene Fiawoyi, Isaac Julius Asiedu-Gyekye, Ben Gyan, Samuel Adjei, Phyllis Addo, Lydia Otu-Nyarko, Alexander Nyarko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Context: Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae), a medicinal plant traditionally known for dissolving kidney stones, is used prophylactically as an antimalarial agent. Objective: The study was undertaken to determine its effect on some male hormones and other toxicological properties due to paucity of its data despite its wide use. Material and methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (100-140g) were used. Group 1 [control group (C), n=6] received water. Group 2 [low-dose test group (LD), n=6] received 50mg/kgbody weight (b.wt.) aqueous leaf extract orally. Group 3 [high-dose test group (HD), n=6] received 500mg/kgb.wt. extract for 90 days. Upon sacrifice, among other organs the testes were harvested. Blood samples drawn were used for biochemical (including progesterone, estrogen and testosterone), cytotoxicity and hematological assays. Results: C, LD and HD estrogen values were 192±25, 385±122 and 962±357pg/ml, respectively. In the same order, progesterone values were 96±24, 155±45 and 320±80pg/ml, respectively. Testosterone levels were 5210±1090, 4710±220 and 4500±580pg/ml, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the estrogen and progesterone levels (p=0.001). Degenerative changes were observed histologically. Cytotoxicity at 50% (CC50) was 10.0g/ml. Discussion and conclusion: This antimalarial plant is mildly cytotoxic with male antifertility properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)691-699
Number of pages9
JournalPharmaceutical Biology
Volume51
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013

Keywords

  • Estrogen
  • Medicinal plant
  • Progesterone
  • Testosterone

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