Effects of the hexane extract of <i>Mondia whitei</i> on the reproductive organs of male rat

Abstract

The present study investigates the effects induced by the long term oral administration of the hexane extract of the dried roots of Mondia whitei at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w. on body and organ weights, biochemical (cholesterol, total proteins), haematological (WBC, RBC, haematocrit) and physiological (mechanical response of vas deferens to Norepinephrine) parameters of rats treated for 30 days. Results showed that Mondia whiteii did not affect the body and testes weights of rats. At high dose (1000 mg/kg b.w), there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase of the relative weights of the caput epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal vesicle whereas at low dose (500 mg/kg b.w), there were growth of the ventral prostate and decrease in the relative weight of the proximal vas deferens as compared with control rats. At all doses, intratesticular cholesterol was decreased, serum and tissue total protein contents increased whilst the haematological variables were within the normal range. Norepinephrine (0.114 - 3.648 µM) produced concentration-dependent contraction of the vas deferens of rats treated with 500 mg/kg b.w and 1000 mg/kg b.w for 30 days. In rats allowed a washout period of 30 days, except the relative proximal vas deferens where a significant decrease (P < 0.001) was noticed, no change was recorded. These findings give evidence of the reversible androgenic effect of Mondia whiteii and partially support its folk use as aphrodisiac.

Key words: Mondia whitei, ethnomedical, cholesterol, aphrodisiac, accessory reproductive organs

Afr. J. Trad. Comp. Alt. Med. Vol.2(3) 2005: 302 - 311