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The methanol-soluble fraction of Millettia macrophylla (Fabaceae) stem bark endowed with estrogenic properties has adverse effects on the male reproductive system of Wistar rats

  • Stéphane Zingue , Chantal Beatrice Magne Nde and Dieudonné Njamen EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: March 26, 2014
Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology
From the journal Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology Volume 26 Issue 1

Abstract

Background: The use of traditional medicinal plants to treat various diseases is common in Sub-Saharan African countries, including Cameroon. Millettia macrophylla, one of such plants, was previously found to exhibit estrogenic properties in female Wistar rats. However, its effects on the male reproductive system are unknown. Based on literature evidence that phytoestrogens impair male sexual behavior, we aimed at assessing the effect of the extracts of M. macrophylla stem bark on the male reproductive system of Wistar rats.

Materials and methods: We evaluated the effects of the dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) soluble fractions of M. macrophylla stem bark on male rat sexual behavior, as well as androgen-dependent parameters for 60 days.

Results: Data showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the wiring-touch frequency, mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculatory frequency, penile-licking frequency, and computed indices of sexual behavior, throughout the experimental period, as well as a significant increase (p<0.001) in mount, intromission, and ejaculatory latencies as well as post-ejaculatory interval. Moreover, we observed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the androgen-dependent sexual parameters evaluated. The DCM extract did not induce significant effects on the assessed parameters.

Conclusions: These results suggest that long-term exposure to the estrogenic MeOH fraction of M. macrophylla stem bark negatively alters sexual behavior and spermatogenesis.

Keywords: male infertility; Millettia macrophylla; phytoestrogens; sexual behavior; testicular dysfunction
Corresponding author: Dr. Dieudonné Njamen, Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon, Phone: +237 79424710, E-mail:

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the assistance provided by Ateba Sylvin Benjamin, Mvondo Marie Alfrede, and Kada Sanda Antoine (Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon) in conducting the animal experiments. This work was supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ conflict of interest disclosure: The authors stated that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article. Research support played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.

Research funding: None declared.

Employment or leadership: None declared.

Honorarium: None declared.

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Received: 2013-9-20
Accepted: 2014-3-3
Published Online: 2014-3-26
Published in Print: 2015-1-1

©2015 by De Gruyter

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Review
  3. Cell cycle checkpoints and pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection: a brief overview
  4. Behavior/Neuroprotection
  5. Neuroprotective effect of N-acetyl cysteine against streptozotocin-induced memory dysfunction and oxidative damage in rats
  6. Effect of (4a) a novel 5-HT3 receptor antagonist on chronic unpredictable mild stress induced depressive-like behavior in mice: an approach using behavioral tests battery
  7. Involvement of opioidergic and serotonergic systems in the analgesic activity of Cissus quadrangularis L. stem extract in mice
  8. Multiparameter rodent chronic model for complex evaluation of alcoholism-mediated metabolic violations
  9. Reproduction
  10. The methanol-soluble fraction of Millettia macrophylla (Fabaceae) stem bark endowed with estrogenic properties has adverse effects on the male reproductive system of Wistar rats
  11. Cardiovascular Function
  12. Kolaviron, a biflavonoid fraction from Garcinia kola, protects against isoproterenol-induced injury by mitigating cardiac dysfunction and oxidative stress in rats
  13. A comparative study to evaluate the cardiovascular risk of selective and nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitors (COX-Is) in arthritic patients
  14. Metabolism
  15. Increased levels of serum γ-glutamyltransferase and uric acid on metabolic, hepatic and kidney parameters in subjects at high altitudes
  16. Phytotherapy
  17. Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus Schum (Euphorbiaceae) in some laboratory animals
  18. Gastroprotective activity of essential oils from turmeric and ginger
  19. Decreased metabolism of 13C-caffeine via hepatic CYP1A2 in marasmus and kwashiorkor based on breath test
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2013-0136
Keywords for this article
male infertility; Millettia macrophylla; phytoestrogens; sexual behavior; testicular dysfunction

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Review
  3. Cell cycle checkpoints and pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection: a brief overview
  4. Behavior/Neuroprotection
  5. Neuroprotective effect of N-acetyl cysteine against streptozotocin-induced memory dysfunction and oxidative damage in rats
  6. Effect of (4a) a novel 5-HT3 receptor antagonist on chronic unpredictable mild stress induced depressive-like behavior in mice: an approach using behavioral tests battery
  7. Involvement of opioidergic and serotonergic systems in the analgesic activity of Cissus quadrangularis L. stem extract in mice
  8. Multiparameter rodent chronic model for complex evaluation of alcoholism-mediated metabolic violations
  9. Reproduction
  10. The methanol-soluble fraction of Millettia macrophylla (Fabaceae) stem bark endowed with estrogenic properties has adverse effects on the male reproductive system of Wistar rats
  11. Cardiovascular Function
  12. Kolaviron, a biflavonoid fraction from Garcinia kola, protects against isoproterenol-induced injury by mitigating cardiac dysfunction and oxidative stress in rats
  13. A comparative study to evaluate the cardiovascular risk of selective and nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitors (COX-Is) in arthritic patients
  14. Metabolism
  15. Increased levels of serum γ-glutamyltransferase and uric acid on metabolic, hepatic and kidney parameters in subjects at high altitudes
  16. Phytotherapy
  17. Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus Schum (Euphorbiaceae) in some laboratory animals
  18. Gastroprotective activity of essential oils from turmeric and ginger
  19. Decreased metabolism of 13C-caffeine via hepatic CYP1A2 in marasmus and kwashiorkor based on breath test
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