Effects of Anthocleista djalonensis root extracts on reproductive hormones and testicular marker enzymes in adult male Wistar rats.

This study evaluated the effect of methanol and aqueous ethanol root extracts (200 mg/kg body weight) of Anthocleista djalonensis on sex hormone concentrations and testicular marker enzymes of adult rats after 60 days of administration followed by 60 days of treatment withdrawal. The results showed no significant changes in testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels during the 60 days of extract treatment. Interestingly, 60 days after treatment withdrawal, there was an increase in intratesticular and serum testosterone and serum FSH in the methanol but not aqueous ethanol extract post-treatment groups. Intratesticular 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity remained unaffected while that of 17β-HSD increased slightly during treatment of both extracts and the increase reached a statistical significance level (p < .05) during post-treatment. Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity in the testis of the methanol but not aqueous ethanol extract-treated animals remained high during post-treatment compared to initial treatment values. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts showed that phenol and flavonoid constituents were higher in the methanol than the aqueous ethanol extract and has higher antioxidant activity. Altogether, post-treatment effect of the extract on the testis was more effective than treatment-related effect and the methanol extract appears to have better and consistent effects on the investigated parameters probably due to higher antioxidant activity conferred to it by its phenolic and flavonoid contents.