Abstract

EFFECTS OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA CALYX EXTRACT ON MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN WEIGHT AND TESTOSTERONE IN NORMAL WISTAR RAT

Njoku-Oji N. N.*, Omoloye G. A., Sobanke A.O., Umahi G. O., Uchefuna R. C., Ifegwu N. O.

Abstract

The continuous use of plants in folklore for reproductive health and the traditional belief of Hibiscus sabdariffa as aphrodisiac have prompted this research work. Hence, the effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa for fourteen (14) days on testicular and epididymal weight as well as serum testosterone level of albino male rats was investigated. Twenty mature male albino rats weighing between 150 and 200g were grouped into four groups (A, B, C and D) of five rats each. Group A was the control group and received distilled water only throughout the duration of the experiment. Groups B, C and D were the test groups and received 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for 14 days, feed and water were supplied ad-libitum. At the end of extract administration, the animals were fasted overnight and were sacrificed the next morning under light diethylether anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for determination of serum testosterone levels, while the testes and epididymes were harvested and their weights determined. Results revealed no significant increase (p>0.05) in testicular weight in group B (1.35±0.15) when compared to control (0.778 ± 0.22). However, groups C (1.404 ± 0.03) and D (1.436 ± 0.05) showed significant increase (p˂ 0.05) in the testicular weight when compared to control group. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the epididymal weight in group B (1.25 ± 0.77) when compared to control group (0.912 ± 0.77). Groups C (1.30 ± 0.18) and D (1.32 ± 0.14) showed significant increase (p˂ 0.05) in epididymal weight when compared to control group (0.912 ± 0.77). No significant difference (p>0.05) in serum testosterone was observed in groups B (0.04 ± 0.01) and C (0.68 ± 1.05) when compared to control (0.04 ± 0.01). However, Group D (1.84 ± 1.05) showed a significant increase in serum testosterone level when compared to control (0.04 ± 0.01). The result therefore justifies the folklore claims that HS is an aphrodisiac and can be used to improve fertility.

Keywords: Testes, testosterone, epididymes, fertility, Hibiscus sabdariffa, aqueous calyx.