Androgenic and Spermatogenic Effects of Methanolic Root Extract of Waltheria indica (linn) in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Waltheria indica is a common shrub found in many parts of Northern Nigeria for the management of several diseases. Although the ability of Waltheria indica to treat infertility, erectile dysfunction and impotency in male has been reported in ethno-medicine, there is no scientific study to verify its action on androgens and spermatogenic parameters. This study seeks to evaluate the effect of methanolic root extract of Waltheria indica on androgens and spermatogenesis in albino rats. Rats were grouped into four: 1, 2, 3 and 4 where 1(the control) received orally 1mL of normal saline. Groups 2, 3 and 4 received orally on daily basis, graded doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the plant extract, respectively, for 40 days. Administration of plant extract resulted in enhanced levels of testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, sperm count, sperm viability, and sperm mobility, testicular gamma glutamyl transferase, testicular alkaline phosphatase, testicular acid phosphatase and testicular cholesterol. The results show that methanolic root extract of Waltheria indica has demonstrated androgenic and spermatogenic activity which further substantiates its claimed traditional use in the management of infertility in male folk. Keywords: Waltheria indica root extract, infertility, erectile dysfunction, impotency in male, androgenic effect, spermatogenic effect