Objective:

2

To investigate the effects of different extracts of

Anthocleista djalonensis

on the testis and epididymal sperms of rats.

Methods:

2

Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 10 groups (

n

=5 in each group) and orally treated with 50

100 and 200 mg/kg body weight each of methanol

aqueous ethanol (H-EtOH) and chloroform extracts of

A. djalonensis

. Corn oil was used as vehicle (2 mL/kg). After 60 days of treatment

testosterone (T) and cholesterol (CHOL) concentrations

catalase (CAT)

lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the testes along with myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and nitrite concentrations (NO) in the serum and testes as well as sperm quality were measured.

Results:

2

T and CHOL concentrations along with 3β-HSD activity were significantly higher in the animals treated with the low dose than in those treated with the high dose of the chloroform extract (

P

<

0.05). Furthermore

the chloroform extract was more effective than the methanol extract that had the most marginal effect on T level at the high dose and the H-EtOH extract that was only effective at the medium dose. LDH activity was dose-dependently increased by the extracts in all groups. The CAT-SOD antioxidant system was increased in the treated animals at all doses compared to the control values

but the increase in glutathione level reached significant level in those treated with the low dose H-EtOH aqueous ethanol extract (

P

<

0.05). Only the high dose of chloroform extract had significant inhibitory effects on MPO activity (

P

<

0.05). Serum NO concentration was decreased at all doses of the extracts. The inhibitory effects of the extracts on testicular NO concentrations follow this order

chloroform extract

>

H-EtOH

>

methanol. Although all extracts at all doses showed excellent stimulatory effects on sperm quality (count

motility and morphology)

the methanol extract at the high dose was the most effective on sperm count (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion:

2

The chloroform extract of

A. djalonensis

has better androgen-like and anti-inflammatory effects whereas the methanol extract has the best effect on sperm count.