<b><i>Xylopia Aethiopica</i> lowers Plasma Lipid Precursors of Reproductive Hormones in Wister Rats</b>

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of dietary Xylopia aethiopica on reproductive hormones and plasma lipids in rats.
10 male and 10 female Wistar rats weighing 200-220g and 120-150g respectively, and subdivided into two respective groups of 5 rats each (M1 and F1 as control; M2 and F2 as test), were used for this study. For 21 days,  the control rats received normal feed and clean water ad libitum, while test rats received 50g/kg of feed diet. Blood was collected from the rats and used to determine the reproductive hormone profile and plasma  lipids  concentration. Hormonal analyses were performed by the ELISA method, while lipid analyses were done using  enzymatic saponification for total cholesterol, and enzymatic hydrolysis by lipases for the triglyceride. Results  showed that there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in plasma testosterone concentration (2.70±0.82ng/ml) of  the treated male rats. The plasma concentrations of estradiol (13.80±2.84pg/ml) and progesterone  (2.85±0.64ng/ml) in the treated females were also significantly reduced. Lipid analyses showed significant reduction in total plasma cholesterol in the treated male rats (1.20±0.63mmol/l) and female rats (1.75±0.55mmol/l). Our  results suggest that dietary Xylopia aethiopica can induce a reduction in plasma levels of steroid reproductive  hormones, possibly through reduction in plasma cholesterol.

Keywords: Xylopia aethiopica, reproductive hormones, plasma lipids.