Toxicological evaluation of a Nigeria-made polyherbal product on selected reproductive functions in adult male Wistar rats

Abstract

Ruzu bitters black for men (RBBM) is a polyherbal product widely used amongst men in Nigeria to enhance libido, rejuvenate male organs and to manage erectile dysfunctions, prostate anomalies, weak erection, and premature ejaculation. This study was carried out to investigate the toxicological effect from the use of herbal product. Acute toxicity test of RBBM on rats was carried out in two phases; 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg for phase I and 1600mg/kg, 2900 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg for phase II, were administered respectively. For sub-acute toxicity, two groups of 5 animals each received RBBM (0.87 mg/kg and1.17 mg/kg respectively) and a third group received water orally for 28 days. The study analyzed the median lethal dosage, and sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm count, sperm viability and histology of the testes as indices for sub-acute toxicity. No death was recorded for the acute and sub-acute studies but there was a moderate physical sign of toxicity. In the sub-acute toxicity study, there was a significant increase (p˂0.05) in testicular weight of Group 1 animals. Also, sperm count, and sperm motility increases significantly (p˂0.05) while there was a decrease in multiple tail sperm across the test groups. RBBM is not toxic to sperm morphology and causes no death at 5000 mg/kg in male albino Wistar rats.