Effect of methanol root extract of <i>Pausinystalia yohimbe</i> on epididymal sperm cells of Wistar albino rats

Abstract

The epididymis is essential for spermatozoa maturation, including the acquisition of progressive motility and fertilizing ability. Without a safe dose regimen treating several related reproductive disorders, the root of P. yohimbe remains one of the many herbs commonly used by traditional herbal medicine practitioners in achieving such roles. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of herbal extract on sperm parameters and histoarchitexture of epididymal sperm cells in rats. Twenty-five Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups and one control group. For 28 days, the control group received only 10 mL/kg distilled water, while the treatment groups received 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w of P. yohimbe methanol root extract via oral cannula. On day 29, all animals were anesthetized, and their caudal epididymis was isolated and histologically processed. P. yohimbe root extract increased sperm count and motility, with normal histological indices of the epididymises examined relaying immune-protected sperm cells in normal spermatogenetic sequential maturation and viability, without lesion or architectural degeneration, and was comparable to, but not different from, the control. The current study supports the safety profile of P. yohimbe herbal preparation in doses administered to male Wistar rats, and that it could be used to justify human circumstances, potentially improving human health. However, future research on this plant may attempt to look at higher doses under similar conditions, providing a foundation for further screening and research.