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.

The effects of aqueous extracts of Tetracarpidium conophorum seeds on the hormonal parameters of male guinea pigs

Objective:To investigate the effects of the aqueous extracts of the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum and the effect of Proviron(12.5 mg/kg)(as standard) on the hormonal parameters of male guinea pigs,compare the effects of the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum and Proviron,and screen the phytochemical constituents of the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum.Methods:The hormonal effects of the Tetracarpidium conophorum and Proviron were tested by hormonal assay,using enzyme immuno assay method.This was done by reaction of antibody with serum testosterone and testosterone label,magnetic solid phase separation and colour development step.Phytochemical screening was done using standard procedures. Results:The aqueous extract of the Tetracarpidium conophorum seeds(100-400 mg/kg) caused a statistically significant increase(P【0.05,ANOVA) in the level of testosterone of male guinea pigs,from(2.60±0.06) ng/mL to(3.40±0.05) ng/mL,(3.00±0.60) ng/mL and(3.30±0.45) ng/mL on the 7th,14th and 21st day of the administration of the extracts,respectively.The highest increase was obtained after the 7th day of treatment[(3.40±0.05) ng/mL].These effects were very comparable to the effects of Proviron on the testosterone of male guinea pigs,which were obtained to be(2.80±0.01) ng/mL,(2.90±0.16) ng/mL and(3.10±0.30) ng/mL on the 7th, 14th and 21st day,respectively.These effects were dose-and time-dependent.The optimum effect on testosterone level under dose-dependent study f(4.70±0.45) ng/mL]was obtained at 300 mg/kg of Tetracarpidium conophorum after 7 days treatment.Finally,the phytochemical screening of the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannin,alkaloids,carbohydrate,volatile oils,terpenoids,saponins and cardiac glycosides. Conclusion:This study supports the claims on the use of the seeds of this plant by traditional medicine practitioners as a fertility agent.However,further studies need to be done to isolate and characterize the active principle(s) responsible for this activity in this plant.