title: Reproductive and toxic effects of methanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaf in male rats.
abstract: Alchornea cordifolia leaf is traditionally used for the treatment of venereal diseases and for the enhancement of fertility throughout its area of distribution in Africa. The effect of oral administration of the methanol extract of the leaf was evaluated on some reproductive and haematological parameters of male rats at 0 (control group), 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg kg(-1) . The toxicity study revealed nonsignificant alterations (P > 0.05) in the values of total and differential white blood cell count, but the erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and haematometric indices were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at 1600 mg kg(-1) dose. Markers of hepatic damage (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) and renal damage (urea and creatinine) were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) at 800 and 1600 mg kg(-1) . The bioactivity (reproductive) study revealed significant increases (P < 0.05) in testicular weight, sperm count and motility, and serum testosterone levels, at the 200 and 400 mg kg(-1) . The study concludes that the extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves has toxic potential at 800 mg kg(-1) and 1600 mg kg(-1) doses, but is safe and has beneficial effects on male reproduction when used at doses equal to or lower than 400 mg kg(-1) .
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Ajibade
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Olayemi
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D019665:Euphorbiaceae; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013739:Testosterone; D014508:Urea; D003404:Creatinine; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Alchornea cordifolia; reproductive effects