Evaluation of antiandrogenic potentials of aqueous extract of Chromolaena odoratum (L.) K. R. leaves in male rats.

The antiandrogenic effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of Chromolaena odoratum leaves (250 and 500 mg kg(-1) body weight) for 14 days in male albino rats was investigated. Forty-two white albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: A, B and C. Group A which served as the control received 1 ml of distilled water (the vehicle) twice daily for 14 days, whereas groups B and C were treated in the same way like the control except that the animals received 250 and 500 mg kg(-1) body weight of the plant extract respectively. Compared with the control, extract administration at 250 and 500 mg kg(-1) body weight revealed a significant reduction (P<0.05) in testicular body weight ratio, acid phosphatase activities, protein, cholesterol, glycogen, sialic acid and testosterone concentrations with a significant increase (P<0.05) in lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities. There was no significant change (P>0.05) in serum concentrations of follicle stimulating and luteinising hormones. Histological examination revealed disruption in the arrangement of seminiferous tubules with no distinct basement membrane. These changes were accompanied by reduction in the number of spermatozoa. All these results indicated that aqueous extract of C. odoratum leaves possesses antiandrogenic property by interfering with steroidogenesis at the testicular level and this will adversely affect the functional capacity of the testes and the fertility of the animal.