Pierre Watcho, Fred Lih, Patrick Brice Defo Deeh, Modeste Wankeu-Nya, Esther Ngadjui, Georges Romeo Fozing Bonsou, Albert Kamanyi, Pierre Kamtchouing,
Volume 17, Issue 6 (June 2019 2019)
Abstract
Background: Raphia vinifera (Arecaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used as a sexual enhancer.
Objective: To investigate the aphrodisiac potential of aqueous extract (AE) and methanolic extract (ME) of R. vinifera in sexually experienced male rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into six groups (5 rats per group) and administered for 14 days with distilled water (10 ml/kg), sildenafil citrate (1.44 mg/kg), and AE or ME of R. vinifera (100 or 500 mg/kg). The copulatory activity was tested on days 0, 7, and 14 using receptive females. Further, on day 14, rats were sacrificed and biochemical analyses (testosterone, total protein, and acid phosphatase) were performed.
Results: Sildenafil citrate significantly decreased the intromission latency (day 14, p = 0.04) and frequency (days 7 and 14, p = 0.03) but increased the mount frequency (day 14, p=0.04), compared with control. Remarkably, R. vinifera enhanced the sexual activity by significantly decreasing the intromission latency (AE and ME, 500 mg/kg, day 14, p = 0.04) and increasing the mount frequency (AE and ME, 100 mg/kg, day 7, p = 0.02) compared with control. Moreover, R. vinifera improved plasmatic (AE, 100 mg/kg, p = 0.03; AE, 500 mg/kg, p = 0.001; ME, 100 mg/kg, p = 0.01) and testicular (AE, 100 mg/kg, p = 0.001; AE, 500 mg/kg, p = 0.01; ME, 100 mg/kg, p=0.001; ME, 500 mg/kg, p=0.01) testosterone levels as well as plasmatic total proteins concentration (ME, 500 mg/kg, p = 0.04).
Conclusion: These findings showed that R. vinifera possesses an aphrodisiac property which could further justify its folkloric use in traditional medicine as a sexual enhancer.
Pierre Watcho, Prechmy Carole Nsamou Ngueyong, Patrick Brice Defo Deeh, Georges Romeo Bonsou Fozin, Esther Ngadjui, Modeste Wankeu-Nya, Pierre Kamtchouing,
Volume 20, Issue 8 (August 2022)
Abstract
Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer agent, but its chronic administration induces ovarian toxicity.
Objective: We evaluated the effects of aqueous extract (AE) and methanol extract (ME) of Amaranthus hybridus (A. hybridus) on CP-induced ovarian toxicity in rats.
Materials and Methods: 40 female Wistar rats (10 wk, 170-200 gr) were distributed into 8 groups (n = 5/each) as follows: 1) healthy control; 2) CP+distilled water (10 ml/kg/d); 3) CP+3%-tween 80 (10 mL/kg/d); 4) CP+clomiphene citrate (2 mg/kg/d); 5, 6) CP+AE of A. hybridus (55 and 110 mg/kg/d); and 7, 8) CP+ME of A. hybridus (55 and 110 mg/kg/d). After 28 days of treatment, estrus cyclicity, ovarian and uterine weights as well as estradiol levels and ovarian histology were determined.
Results: CP induced ovarian toxicity after 28 days of exposure. More specifically, CP disturbed the estrus cycle, decreased ovary and uterus weights (p = 0.04), and the 17-β estradiol level (p = 0.04), and induced severe ovarian damages. Remarkably, A. hybridus significantly increased (p = 0.03) the ovarian weight (AE and ME at all doses) and uterus weight (ME at 110 mg/kg/d), compared with the CP-treated rats. Moreover, the 17-β estradiol level was significantly elevated (p = 0.02) in rats given clomiphene citrate and A. hybridus (AE 110 mg/kg/d; ME 55 mg/kg/d). Finally, the ovaries of rats given plant extracts had many corpus luteum and normal follicles, and no cystic follicles.
Conclusion: A. hybridus prevented the detrimental effects of CP on ovarian function, which could support its traditional use as a fertility enhancer.
