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.
©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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- Masthead
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- Review
- Cytokines and their role in hyperthermia and heat stroke
- Original Articles
- Expression and role of the genes involved in the transport of bile acids in the liver and kidneys in mice
- Methemoglobin incites primaquine toxicity through single-electron oxidation and modification
- Brain and liver oxidative stress after sertraline and haloperidol treatment in mice
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- What is the effect of ghrelin on rat uterine contractility in vitro?
- The effects of thiol modulators on nitrergic nerve- and S-nitrosothiols-induced relaxation in duodenum
- Effects of aqueous extract of Musa paradisiaca root on testicular function parameters of male rats
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- Bilateral temporal lobe agenesis with bilateral arachnoid cysts – a rare congenital anomaly