Androgenic Properties and Subchronic Toxicity of the Aqueous Extract of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. Wood (Myristicaceae)
Rodolphe Koularambaye
Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 1364 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Sara Nathalie Edjenguèlè Béboy *
Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon.
Yannick Sani Jignoua
Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon.
Alfloditte Flore Feudjio
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 1364 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Arnaud Choupo
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 1364 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Fabiola Jenny Massah
Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 1364 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Constant Anatole Pieme
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 1364 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Paul Fewou Moundipa
Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. also known as “Etengué” in the Baka language, is a medicinal plant used by the Baka Pygmies of Cameroon to treat erectile dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the androgenic activity and subchronic toxicity of the aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis wood.
Study Design: Experimental design.
Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, between November 2022 and October 2023.
Methodology: Twenty-five male Wistar strain rats were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each including a positive control group that received testosterone enanthate (5 mg/kg) intramuscularly once a week; a normal control group that received distilled water (10 ml/kg) and three test groups which received 134 and 267 and 533 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis daily per os. On the 29th day, the animals were killed, and several biochemical parameters were assessed for androgenic properties.
Results: At a dose of 134 mg/kg, the extract significantly increased (p<0.05) the levels of testicular cholesterol, testosterone and serum prostatic acid phosphatase activity compared to those of the normal control. A toxicity study showed that at doses of 134 and 267 mg/kg, the extract did not induce any significant variation (p>0.05) in the creatinine level, but a significant reduction (p<0.05) in of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities was recorded. Histopathology revealed destruction of testicular spermatozoa at a dose of 533 mg/kg compared to that of the controls.
Conclusion: These results showed that at a dose of 134 mg/kg, the aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. wood is capable of stimulating the production of androgens and is tolerated by the rat's body. Our results justified the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of male infertility and erectile dysfunction.
Keywords: Pycnanthus angolensis, androgenic properties, subchronic toxicity, male rat