Impact of Aqueous Fruit Extract of Xylopia Athiopica on the Reproductive Hormone Profile of Wistar Rats
1 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Enugu State University of Science and Technology College of Medicine/Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria.
3 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2025, 10(02), 170-181.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2025.10.2.0088
Publication history:
Received on 29 October 2025; revised on 05 December 2025; accepted on 08 December 2025
Abstract:
Background: Medicinal plants play an important therapeutic role in many developing regions, yet the endocrine effects of widely used botanicals such as Xylopia aethiopica remain insufficiently understood.
Objective: This study evaluated the effect of aqueous fruit extract of X. aethiopica on the hormone profile of male Wistar rats.
Methodology: Twenty-four rats were randomized into four groups and administered distilled water (control) or aqueous extract at 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg body weight daily for 28 days. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, prolactin, and cortisol were assessed using ELISA.
Result: The extract produced a dose-dependent alteration in endocrine function. Testosterone decreased significantly at all doses (p<0.05), while estrogen increased progressively, reaching significance at 200–300 mg/kg. LH and FSH levels declined mildly but significantly at higher doses. Prolactin increased significantly across all treatment groups, and cortisol showed a significant rise only at the highest dose.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that aqueous fruit extract of X. aethiopica may suppress the male reproductive axis while elevating estrogenic, lactogenic, and stress hormone activity. The results suggest potential antifertility properties and possible endocrine-disrupting effects, underscoring the need for further research to determine safety thresholds, mechanisms of action, and reproductive implications of chronic use.
Keywords:
Xylopia aethiopica; Aqueous extract; Hormone profile; Wistar rats; Antifertility effect
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