The phytoconstituents and the comparative effects of aqueous extract of Irvingia gabonensis seeds and proviron on the biochemical parameters of male guinea pigs

Objective:To investigate the phytochemical screening and the effects of the aqueous extracts of the seeds of Irvingia gabonensis on the biochemical parameters of male guinea pigs.Methods: The biochemical parameters were assayed using Randox Diagnostic kits,Phenolphthalein method and colorimetric method.The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures.Results:Phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of flavonoids,tannins, carbohydrate,alkaloids,terpenoids,steroids,volatile oils,saponins and cardiac glycosides.The aqueous extract of Irvingia gabonensis seeds(SO - 400 mg/kg) caused a statistically significant(P【 0.05 ANOVA) decrease in the levels of total cholesterol,urea,uric acid,total protein,prostatic, alkaline,and acid phosphatases.The highest reduction effect was obtained with uric acid at 400 mg/kg of Irvingia gabonensis extract while the least effect was observed in total cholesterol. These effects were dose- and time- dependent.Conclusions:This shows that the seeds of Irvingia gabonensis have hepatoprotective,nephroprotective and cardio protective properties.The study therefore,supports the claims on the use of the seeds of this plant by traditional medicine practitioners as a hepatoprotective and nephroprotective agent Although further studies need to be done to isolate,identify and characterize the active principles in the seeds of this plant.

The comparative effects of aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum seeds and Proviron on the sperm parameters of male guinea pigs

Objective:To investigation the comparative effects of the aqueous extracts of the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum (T.conophorum) and Proviron on the sperm parameters of male guinea pigs,and screen phytochemical constituents of the seeds of T.conophorum.Methods:The sperm count,motility and morphology of the male guinea pigs were done using Neubauer chamber(Haemocytometer),light microscope and dilute carbol Fuchsin(1:20) method,respectively.Phytochemical screening was done by standard procedures.Results: The aqueous extract of the T.conophorum seeds(100 -400 mg/kg) caused statistically significant increase (P 【 0.05,ANOVA) in the sperm count and motility,from 67.7±2.10 and 56.5±2.40 to 78.0±3.5 and 75.0±2.8,respectively.The highest effect was obtained at 300 mg/kg of T.conophoru.At this dose, the sperm count and motility of the male guinea pigs administered with T.conophorum were the same with the group administered 12.5 mg/kg Proviron.The values were 78.0±3.50 and 75.0±2.80,respectively for sperm count and motility(P 【0.001,ANOVA).At 400 mg/kg,T.conophorum caused a slight decline in sperm count and motility.These effects were dose-dependent and comparable to the observed effects of Proviron (12.5 mg/kg) on sperm parameters of male guinea pigs.In time-dependent study,the observed effect of T. conophorum(300 mg/kg) and Proviron on the values of sperm count and motility at 14th day were almost the same.These values are 58.0±1.80 and 70.0±2.60,respectively for sperm motility and count.However, on the 7th day of treatment,T.conophorum exhibited highest effect which was higher than that of Proviron. These effects decreased progressively from the 14th to the 28th day.But Proviron showed the highest effect on the 28th day.These effects were all time-dependent and statistically significant at P 【 0.05(ANOVA).Finally, the phytochemical screening of the seeds of T.conophorum revealed the presence of flavonoids,tannins, alkaloids,terpenoids,carbohydrates,volatile oils,steroids,saponins and cardiac glycosides.Conclusion: This study shows that the seeds of T.conophorum possess some active principles that can contribute positively on male fertility.This therefore,supports the claims on the use of the seeds of this plant by traditional medicine practitioners to increase/improve libido in men.However,further studies need to be done to investigate the mechanism of this action and also to isolate and characterize the active principles responsible for this effect in the extracts of this plant.