Effect of Hydromethanolic Fruit Pulp Extract of Azanza garckeana (Malvaceae) on Sexual Behavior, Sex Hormones and Histology of Female Wistar Rats

Aim: To evaluate the effect of hydromethanolic fruit pulp extract of Azanza garckeana on sexual behavior, sex hormones and histology of female Wistar rats.

Study Design: Twenty-five female Wistar rats and five (5) male Wistar rats were used for the study, the female animals were randomly divided into 5 groups (n= 5): Group I served as normal control and received 1 ml/kg distilled water, group II served as positive control and received 100 µg estradiol valerate and 50 µg progesterone 48 hr and 5 hr respectively before the sexual behavioral test, while group III, IV and V received 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extracts respectively for 14 days.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Human Physiology (animal house), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between September 2021 and November 2021.

Methodology: Sexual behavioral tests were performed with sexually experienced male rats 1:1 after the treatment period in a unilevel pacing chamber and the process videotaped for proper scoring. Proceptive behaviors and Lordosis was extrapolated as index for the level of proceptivity and receptivity respectively in the female animals. The proximity time of the female to the male was also recorded. At the end of the experiment, the rats were anaesthetized with combined doses of ketamine and diazepam injection 0.4 mg/kg. Blood sample was collected for hormonal assays which was done using ELISA kit. The ovaries were dissected out and fixed in 10% formalin for histological examination. Phytochemical screening was also carried out on the extract to determine the presence and absence of secondary metabolites.

Results: The hormonal assay result revealed significant (p =.000) increase in the serum Estradiol levels across the treatment groups but no significant change in progesterone level except at 500 mg/kg dose where it was significantly increased when compared to both negative and positive control. Receptivity and proceptivity in the extract treated groups and positive control groups increased significantly when compared with the negative control group, indicating enhanced sexual behaviour. The proximity time also significantly increased (p =.000) in the extract treated groups when compared to negative control. The histological sections of ovaries revealed increased follicle development in the treated groups when compared to negative control. The presence of flavonoid and saponin in the fruit pulp extract could be the reason for the high aphrodisiac activity.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that A. garckeana fruit extract possesses significant aphrodisiac potentials in female Wistar rats.