Comparative Effects of Phytochemical Constituents (Alkaloids, Tannins, and Flavonoids) of Uvaria ovata on the Male Reproductive Organs of Albino Rats
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Uvaria ovata is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, but its individual phytochemical effects on male reproduction remain unclear.
Methods: Twenty-four adult male albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): control, alkaloid-, tannin-, and flavonoid-treated groups. Extracts (100 mg/kg) were administered orally for 28 days. Body and organ weights, sperm parameters, serum testosterone, and testicular histology were evaluated.
Results: Alkaloid fractions significantly reduced sperm count, motility, and testosterone levels, with marked testicular degeneration. Tannin fractions caused moderate suppression of reproductive indices. Flavonoid fractions significantly improved sperm parameters and testosterone levels while preserving testicular architecture.
Conclusion: Alkaloids and tannins exhibit anti-fertility effects, whereas flavonoids enhance reproductive function, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The Journal is owned, published and copyrighted by the Nigerian Medical Association, River state Branch. The copyright of papers published are vested in the journal and the publisher. In line with our open access policy and the Creative Commons Attribution License policy authors are allowed to share their work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
This is an open access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author.
The use of general descriptive names, trade names, trademarks, and so forth in this publication, even if not specifically identified, does not imply that these names are not protected by the relevant laws and regulations. While the advice and information in this journal are believed to be true and accurate on the date of its going to press, neither the authors, the editors, nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein.
TNHJ also supports open access archiving of articles published in the journal after three months of publication. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g, in institutional repositories or on their website) within the stated period, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access). All requests for permission for open access archiving outside this period should be sent to the editor via email to editor@tnhjph.com.
How to Cite
References
1.Sofowora A. Medicinal plants and traditional medicine in Africa. 4th ed. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited; 2018.
2.World Health Organization. Global infertility prevalence report. Geneva: WHO; 2024.
3.Chike CPR. Herbal medicine use and reproductive health implications in developing countries. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;245:112–118.
4.Huhtaniemi I, Toppari J. Physiology of the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis. In: Feingold KR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. MDText.com; 2011.
5.Idam BU, Ebisintei P, Nwankwo AA, Ejim CI, Akpe CE, Elendu MU. Phytochemical screening and GC–MS profile of bioactive compounds in ethanolic root extract of Uvaria ovata. Afr Sci. 2023;23(2):55–66.
6.Idam BU, Ebisintei P. Gastroprotective effect of ethanolic root extract of Uvaria ovata against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Open J Med Res. 2022;3(1):30–42.
7.Ebisintei P, Okaba EO. Comparative effect of coconut oil and milk on the testis and body weight of male albino rats. Afr Sci. 2023;24(4):478–483.
8.Yakubu MT, Akanji MA, Oladiji AT. Reproductive toxicology of phytochemicals: Mechanisms and implications. Phytomedicine Rev. 2017;22(2):221–230.
9.Oghenesuvwe FE, Okoro ME, Adegboyega TT. Tannin-induced suppression of spermatogenesis in experimental rodents. J Androl Sci. 2019;15(4):45–52.
10.Obidike IC, Salawu OA. Pharmacological importance of flavonoids in male reproductive health. Afr J Nat Prod Res. 2021;10(2):35–42.
11.Krishna KL, Paridhavi M, Patel JA. Review on nutritional, medicinal and pharmacological properties of flavonoids. Int J Green Pharm. 2008;2(3):162–165.
12.Adebayo AO, Adegbola P, Ayoola A, Owolabi T. Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on sperm quality and testosterone levels in male rats. J Phytopharmacol. 2016;5(4):181–188.
13.Brennan J, Capel B. One tissue, two fates: Molecular genetic events that underlie testis versus ovary development. Nat Rev Genet. 2004;5(7):509–521.
14.Ayinde BA, Omogbai EK. Phytochemical-induced reproductive toxicity in male albino rats. J Reprod Biol. 2020;8(3):112–120.
15.Anjoo K, Ajay K. Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of flavonoids and their role in reproductive health. Pharmacogn Rev. 2009;3(6):364–374.
16.Ojewole JAO. Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and protective effects of plant-derived phytochemicals in experimental animals. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;99(1):13–19.
17.Jensen WB. The origin of the Soxhlet extractor. J Chem Educ. 2007;84(12):1913–1914.