Effect of ethanol leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis on male reproductive activities

Abstract

Telfairia occidentalis is a medicinal plant known to exhibit a wide range of biological activities because of the presence of phytochemicals like tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. In this research work, the phytochemical screening and the antioxidant activities of Telfairia occidentalis leaves were evaluated. Also, this research work was designed to evaluate the effect of Telfairia occidentalis on reproductive hormones and sexual behaviour in male Albino Wistar rats using standard analytical methods. Twenty-five (25) sexually matured male rats were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each; groups 1 and 2 were the normal and positive controls and were given distilled water and the standard drug (Manix Capsule) respectively while groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered the ethanol extract of the plant in graded dosages of 400, 200, and 100mg/kg respectively. Also 12 sexually matured female Albino rats were used for the assessment of sexual behavior.The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenes and flavonoids while, the leaves showed a significant free radical scavenging activities with IC50 90μg/ml. The hormonal result showed that the extract cause a dose dependent significant increase (p<0.05) in testosterone when compared with the normal control. However, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels also in comparison with the normal control. In conclusion, the ethanol leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis increases the reproductive hormones which might increase the reproductive activities of the male rats.