Evaluation of the Androgenic Properties of the Aqueous Extract of the Trunk Bark of Spathodea Campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) in Male Rats

Introduction. Several causes among which the deficit of androgens are at the origin of the erectile dysfunction. In the West region of Cameroon, more particularly in the locality of Dschang, traditional healers use the bark of Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (S.campanulata), belonging to the family Bignoniaceae, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the androgenic properties of the aqueous extract of S. campanulata trunk bark on the androgenic parameters of adult male rats. Methods. To do this, 25 male rats were used and divided into 5 groups that were treated: group I received the reference substance (testosterone enanthate) at 5 mg / kg weekly and constituted the positive control. Group II was the negative control and received distilled water at a dose of 5 ml / kg daily. The others were the experimental groups and received extract at doses of 200 mg / kg (group III) and 400 mg / kg (group IV) and 800 mg / kg (group V) daily. Administration was single-dose at the same time each day and treatment lasted 28 days. On the 29th day, the animals were weighed and sacrificed and the organs were removed. The following parameters were then determined: The relative weight of the organs, the serum and testicular cholesterol levels, the serum, testicular and epididymal protein levels, the rate of penile nitrogen monoxide and vesicular fructose, as well as the histology of the testis and epididymis. Results. The results of this study show that the treatment had an impact on some androgenic parameters. In fact, at the dose of 200 mg / kg the extract allowed a significant increase (P <0.05) compared to the negative control of the rate of penile nitrogen monoxide, in the order of 136.36% and the vesicular fructose of 19.58%. In addition, there was an increase in the weight of certain androgen-dependent organs: the testes, of 11.20% and penis, of 31.81% and the prostate, of 7.70%. These results reflect an activity of androgens whose incidence is felt on these parameters. The analysis of the testicular and epididymal histological sections of the animals treated with the extract for 28 days suggests that the active ingredient of S. campanulata has an effect, although minimal on testicular and epididymal morphology of experimental animals compared to negative controls. Conclusion. These results indicate an androgenic potential of S. campanulata in male rats and support the empirical use of S. campanulata trunk bark in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in West Cameroon. RÉSUMÉ Introduction. Plusieurs causes parmi lesquelles le déficit en androgènes sont à l’origine des dysfonctions sexuelles. A l’Ouest-Cameroun, plus particulièrement dans la localité de Dschang, les tradipraticiens utilisent les écorces de tronc de Spathodeacampanulata P. Beauv. (S. campanulata), appartenant à la famille des Bignoniacées, pour le traitement des dysfonctions sexuelles chez les hommes. Cette étude avait pour but l’effet de l’extrait aqueux des écorces de tronc de S. campanulatasur les paramètres androgéniques des rats mâles adultes. Méthodologie. Pour ce faire, 25 rats mâles ont été utilisés et répartis en 5 groupes qui étaient traités quotidiennement : le groupe I recevait la substance de référence (l’énanthate de testostérone) à 5 mg/kg et constituait le témoin positif. Le groupe II était le témoin négatif et recevait quant à lui de l’eau distillée à la dose de 5 ml/kg. Les autres constituaient les groupes expérimentaux et étaient traités à l’extrait aux doses 200 mg/kg (groupe III) et 400 mg/kg (groupe IV) et 800 mg/kg (groupe V). L’administration se faisait en dose unique à la même heure chaque jour et le traitement a duré 28 jours. Le 29 jour, les animaux étaient pesés puis sacrifiés et les organes prélevés. Les paramètres suivant étaient alors déterminés : Le poids relatif des organes, le taux de (1) Department of pharmaceutical sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University de Yaounde 1, Cameroon. (2) Department of Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Near East University, ZIP: 99138 Nicosia / TRNC Mersin 10 – Turkey. (3) Department pharmaceutical sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon. Corresponding author Talla Clovis. E-mail: clovis.dassi@gmail.com; Téléphone: (+237) 694 422 852