Male rat hormone imbalance, testicular changes and toxicity associated with aqueous leaf extract of an antimalarial plant: Phyllanthus niruri. (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Asare, George Awuku; Bugyei, Kwasi; Fiawoyi, Irene; Asiedu-Gyekye, Isaac Julius; Gyan, Ben; Adjei, Samuel; Addo, Phyllis; Otu-Nyarko, Lydia; Nyarko, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 51:Number 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 691
• Page End: 699
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2013.764325
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: <italic>Phyllanthus niruri</italic> L. (Euphorbiaceae), a medicinal plant traditionally known for dissolving kidney stones, is used prophylactically as an antimalarial agent.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: The study was undertaken to determine its effect on some male hormones and other toxicological properties due to paucity of its data despite its wide use.</p> <p> <italic>Material and methods</italic>: Male Sprague–Dawley rats (100–140 g) were used. Group 1 [control group (C), <italic>n</italic> = 6] received water. Group 2 [low-dose test group (LD), <italic>n</italic> = 6] received 50 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) aqueous leaf extract orally. Group 3 [high-dose test group (HD), <italic>n</italic> = 6] received 500 mg/kg b.wt. extract for 90 days. Upon sacrifice, among other organs the testes were harvested. Blood samples drawn were used for biochemical (including progesterone, estrogen and testosterone), cytotoxicity and hematological assays.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: C, LD and HD estrogen values were 192 ± 25, 385 ± 122 and 962 ± 357 pg/ml, respectively. In the same order, progesterone values were 96 ± 24, 155 ± 45 and 320 ± 80 pg/ml, respectively. Testosterone levels were 5210 ± 1090, 4710 ± 220 and 4500 ± 580 pg/ml, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the estrogen and progesterone levels (<italic>p</italic> = 0.001). Degenerative changes were observed histologically. Cytotoxicity at 50% (CC<sub>50</sub>) was 10.0 µg/ml.</p> <p> <italic>Discussion and conclusion</italic>: This antimalarial plant is mildly cytotoxic with male antifertility properties.</p> </abstract>