Usang A.U., Ibor O.R., Owolodun O.A., Eleng I.E., Ujong U.P., Udoh P.B.
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria; Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Cross River State University of Technology, P.M.B 1123
Usang, A.U., Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria; Ibor, O.R., Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria; Owolodun, O.A., Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; Eleng, I.E., Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria; Ujong, U.P., Department of Medical Biochemistry, Cross River State University of Technology, P.M.B 1123 Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria; Udoh, P.B., Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
Ficus exasperata popularly known as sand paper tree (due to its rough surfaces) is an important medicinal plant in Africa used traditionally for treating asthma, dyspnea, high blood pressure, rheumatoid, arthritis, ulcer and diabetes. Due to its wide application as a medicinal herb, there is a special need to evaluate the safety and probable toxicological effects of the plant. Hence, this study was aimed at investigating the possible reproductive toxicological effects of ethanolic extract of F. exasperata on male albino rats. Phytochemical screening was done to analyse the active constituents in the extract (Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, anthraquinones, glycosides and phenols). Three concentrations: 50, 100, 150 and control (0.0) mg/kg body weight of the extract were utilized and administered orally to the test animals for 3 days. The levels of a major reproductive androgen hormone (testosterone) were measured with the enzyme immune assay (EIA) and changes in reproductive organ weights were evaluated. Ethanolic extract of Ficus exasperata significantly decreased (p<0.05) serum testosterone levels which paralleled changes in gonadal growth and development and this decrease were concentration dependent. Our results suggest that ethanolic extract of F. exasperata contain some bioactive constituents that may have reproductive toxicological effects which inhibit testosterone synthesis and reduce reproductive organ development and consequently may result in infertility. The mechanism of action of F. exasperata inducing reproductive toxicological effects may have resulted from the potential ability of some phytochemicals to interact with steroid hormone synthesis and therefore inhibiting testosterone biosynthesis. © 2015, International Journal of Toxicological and Pharmacological Research. All rights reserved.