##article.abstract##
Objectives: The reproductive activities of purified fractions from the root extract of Cnestis ferruginea was evaluated in rats. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins and anthraquinones.
Materials and Methods: Column chromatography produced 20 fractions which were reduced to 6 by thin layer chromatography. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed quinolizidine alkaloids (fractions 3 and 4) as the active principles in the extract of Cnestis ferruginea. Each fraction of Cnestis ferruginea (0.1, 1 and 2 mgkg-1bw) was administered to rats by gavages for 60 days.
Results: All fractions caused significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm counts, motility, viability, morphology and plasma levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. Fractions 3 and 4 caused the highest reduction (p<0.001) in fertility, FSH and LH levels comparable to those of quinine sulphate. There was recovery after 60 days of withdrawal from the extracts.
Conclusion: The results suggest that Cnestis ferruginea possesses reversible male antifertility effects. The active principles with these activities appear to be quinolizidine alkaloids.
Keywords: Antifertility, Cnestis ferruginea, male, quinolizidine, reproduction
Résumé
Les activités reproductive des fractions d’extraits purifies de Cnestis ferruginea était évalué sur les souris blanc. Un dépistage phytochimiques des extraits révélaient la présence des alcaloïdes, tannins et anthraquinones. La chromatographie de colonne produisait 20 fractions qui étaient réduit à 6 par la chromatographie sur papier léger. La spectroscopie à résonance nucléaire et magnétique révélait des alcaloïdes quinolizidine (fractions 3 et 4) comme principe actif dans l’extrait de Cnestis ferruginea. Chaque fraction de Cnestis ferruginea (0.1, 1 et 2 mgkg-1bw) était administrée aux souris par gavages pour 60 jours. Toutes les fractions causaient une réduction significative (p<0.05) des quantités de spermes, motilité, viabilité, morphologie et les taux de plasma
du testostérone, hormone lutéinique et follicule stimulating hormone. Les fractions 3 et 4 causaient la plus grande réduction (p<0.001) en fertilité, en taux de FSH et LH comparable à celles qui recevaient de la quinine de sulfate. Il y avait une convalescence après 60 jours de retrait des extraits. Les résultats suggèrent que le Cnestis ferruginea possède des effets d’infertilité réversible chez l’homme. Les principes actifs avec leurs activités paraient être des alcaloïdes de quinolizidine.
Correspondence: Dr. Y. Raji, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: yoraji@yahoo.com, yinusaraji@gmail.com
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