Combined effects of testosterone propionate and Leptadenia hastata Pers. (Decne) aqueous extracts on immature castrated male rats

Abstract

To evaluate the competition between testosterone propionate (TP) and Leptadenia hastata aqueous extracts, immature castrated male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. L. hastata aqueous extracts reduced significantly the weight of androgen-dependant sex glands, the level of phosphatase acid prostatic (PAP) and fructose in seminal vesicles and prostate, and the serum testosterone level. When TP was administered simultaneously with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of L. hastata aqueous extracts, a potentiate action was observed with 100 mg/kg of L. hastata by the increase of androgen-dependant sex glands weights, fructose and PAP levels in seminal vesicles and prostate, and the serum testosterone level. The anti-androgenic effect of L. hastata appeared with the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg which reduced significantly the weight of androgen-dependant sex glands, fructose and PAP levels in seminal vesicles and prostate and serum testosterone level. From these findings, it was concluded that the effect of TP was potentiated with low doses of L. hastata and antagonized with high doses. This study confirmed the anti-androgenic effects of L. hastata aqueous extracts in immature castrated male rats. Key words: Leptadenia hastata , testosterone propionate, anti-androgenic activity, rats. INTRODUCTION The increasing interest in the effects of the components of plant extracts on humans and wildlife has been reflected in the number of recent papers and international conferences devoted to this topic (Weisburger, 1999; Arbonnier, 2000; Vasudeva and Sharma, 2006). Plant-derived chemicals that influence endocrine activities in both humans and animals have received a great deal of attention due to their possible beneficial as well as adverse effects (Gamache and Acworth, 1998). Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne (Asclepediaceae) is an indigenous medicinal plant of West Africa, commonly