Reproductive and toxic effects of methanol extract of Alchornea cordifollia leaves

Alchornea cordifolia is commonly used as a medicinal plant throughout its area of distribution in Africa. The leaves are traditionally used for the treatment of veneral diseases, and for enhancement of fertility in humans and animals. Using thirty six male albino rats, randomly divided into six groups of six rats each, the effect of oral administration of the methanol extract of A. cordifolia leaves on some reproductive, haematological, and biochemical parameters of male rats was investigated at 0, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg kg^-1. The values of total and differential white blood cell in the control and test animals were similar at all treatment doses. The erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and haematmetric indices except mean corpuscular volume decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at the 1600 mg kg^-1 dose compared with the control. However, markers of hepatic damage (alanine and aspartate transferases) and renal damage (urea and creatinine) were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) at 800 and 1600 mg kg^-1. Although, significant increases were observed in testicular weight, spermatozoa count and motility, and serum testosterone levels, at all treatment levels, severe deleterious effects were not recorded on the liver, kidney and testis at doses below 400 mg kg^-1. The study concludes that, the extract of A. cordifolia leaves, though apparently toxic on haematological parameters, the liver and the kidney in high doses may have beneficial effects on male reproduction when used at doses below 400 mg kg^-1.

Keywords: Alchornea cordifolia, testosterone, rats