Effects of the aqueous extract of Anthocleista liebrechtsiana leaves (Longamiceae) on ethanol-induced spermatic disorders in rats

Abstract

Anthocleista liebrechtsiana is a plant used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat sexual asthenia and male infertility. In order to evaluate the effects of Anthocleista. liebrechtsiana hydroalcoholic extract leaves on ethanol-induced sperm disorders in rats, adult male rats were divided into 4 groups of five rats each. The experimental period lasted 75 days. It was divided into two phases: an oligospermia or azoospermia induction phase (21 days) during which all the animals were intoxicated with 40 ° ethanol at a dose of 6 g/kg except the normal control group, and the treatment phase which lasted 54 days. During the latter phase, the animals of the negative control group received ethanol and distilled water per os; those of test groups A and B received ethanol and hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. At the end of this period, the animals were anesthetized and then sacrificed. Reproductive organs and annex glands were removed and weighed; arteriovenous blood was collected in tubes for testosterone assay. Sperm count, motility, sperm vitality was determined, and histopathological analysis of the testis, epididymis and prostate was performed. The results of the study showed that treatment of rats with 40° ethanol has significantly reduced body weight, relative weight of reproductive organs and the annex glands, the number of spermatozoa, their mobility and vitality, and the level of testosterone compared to the normal group. The treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of Anthocleista liebrechtsiana significantly corrected the weight of the reproductive organs and annexed glands, and the number, mobility and vitality of spermatozoa. These results indicate the ability of the hydroalcoholic extract of Anthocleista. liebrechtsiana to correct the deleterious effects of ethanol on sperm parameters. These results thereby justify the use of Anthocleista. liebrechtsiana leaves in the management of male infertility in the traditional pharmacopoeia.