Publications scientifiques
FGY Mbongue
Pièrre Kamtchouing
PM Yewah
David Lontsi
O. J. L. Essame
Indian Journal of Pharmacology
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the aqueous extract of <i>Piper guineense </i>(Piperaceae) on male reproductive function in Wistar rats.<br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats, 3 months old, weighing 180-210 g were administered (by gastric intubation) the aqueous extract of dry fruits of<i> Piper guineense</i> at two doses, 122.5 and 245 mg/kg for 8 days and 122.5 mg/kg for 55 days. The control group received distilled water for the same duration. Animals were sacrificed and the blood, testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate were collected for biochemical analyses.<br>RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the level of testosterone in the serum and testes, cholesterol in the testes, α-glucosidase in the epididymis and fructose in the seminal vesicles after 8 days of treatment, while with 55 days of treatment, the levels of cholesterol in the testes increased by 75%, while the levels of α-glucosidase in the epididymis and the seminal vesicle fructose decreased by 24 and 21% respectively. On the other hand, there was a 20% reduction of fertility in the <i>P. guineense</i>-treated rats after 55 days of treatment.<br>CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of <i>P. guineense</i> at both doses (122.5 and 245 mg/kg) had a positive impact on the male reproductive function since it stimulated the secretions of the testes, epididymis and seminal vesicles. The use of <i>P. guineense</i> could negatively influence male fertility.
