title: Effects of aqueous extract of Musa paradisiaca root on testicular function parameters of male rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an age-long claim that the Musa paradisiaca root is used to manage reproductive dysfunction, most especially sexual dysfunction (as an aphrodisiac), but there are no data in the open scientific literature that have refuted or supported this claim and the effects of M. paradisiaca root on the testes. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the effect of oral administration of the aqueous extract of M. paradisiaca root on the testicular function parameters of male rat testes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sexually matured male albino rats (138.67±5.29 g) were randomly assigned into four groups, A, B, C, and D, that respectively received 0.5 mL (3.6 mL/kg body weight) of distilled water and 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract, orally, once daily, for 14 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract significantly increased (p<0.05) the testes-body weight ratio, total protein, sialic acid, glycogen, cholesterol, activities of alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, acid phosphatase, and the concentration of testicular testosterone. In contrast, the extract decreased the concentrations of both luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones in the serum of the animals. The results revealed that oral administration of M. paradisiaca root extract at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight enhanced the testosterone-dependent normal functioning of the testes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the aqueous extract of M. paradisiaca stimulated the normal functioning of the testes and exhibited both androgenic and anabolic properties. The results may explain the rationale behind the folkloric beneficial effect of the plant in the management of reproductive dysfunction.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria. tomuyak@yahoo.com
authors: Musa Toyin
authors: MT
authors: Yakubu
authors: Theo Oyetayo
authors: TO
authors: Oyeyipo
authors: Ayodeji Luqman
authors: AL
authors: Quadri
authors: Musbau Adewumi
authors: MA
authors: Akanji
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D028521:Musa / Q000737:chemistry*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012794:Sialic Acids; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006003:Glycogen; D002784:Cholesterol; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase