Abstract
In vivo clinical trials involving the administration of crude extracts of Cissus populnea to male subjects (normospermic, oligospermic, and azoopermic) in a 72-day study revealed that continuous exposure of the subjects to the extracts over this period did not significantly (p ≤ 0.05) alter sperm count, morphology, motility, or volume. Antimicrobial screening of the extract against some selected microbial isolates secondarily implicated in male infertility revealed total inactivity against the microbial isolates screened, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Klebsiella sp. Phytochemistry revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and steroids. The presence of these secondary metabolites was confirmed by thin layer chromatography. We conclude that oral administration of aqueous extracts of the stem bark of Cisssus populnea over a 72-day period to human subjects apparently had no fertility enhancement effects on sperm parameters monitored in this study.
Highlights
It has long been demonstrated that semen quality and sperm output are frequently lower than is generally accepted among fertile men
Fresh stem bark samples of C. populnea were obtained by commissioning a local herbal practitioner in Oyingbo, Lagos State, in southwestern Nigeria
They were authenticated at the Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Nigeria (PCGLH-370)
Summary
It has long been demonstrated that semen quality and sperm output are frequently lower than is generally accepted among fertile men. About 20% of childless marriages result from fertility problems/sterility on the part of the male partners, while contributing to about 30–50% of others[1,2]. In Nigeria today, even though statistics are not accurate, clinical experience and focal reports dating back about a decade suggest a high male contribution, ranging between 40–51%, in childless marriages[3]. The rise in childlessness among married couples in Nigeria is further compounded by cultural, religious, and traditional beliefs. This belief system makes it quite incomprehensible for a man to Ojekale et al.: Cissus populnea
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