Potential Hazards of Ethanolic Extract of Garcinia kola on the Testes of Adult Male Wistar Rats

Background: Garcinia kola has been used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases and its importance in folkloric medicine is eminent.

Aim: This study investigated the histological effect of ethanolic extract of G. kola on the testes of male Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: A total of twenty (20) male Wistar rats weighing 170-240 g were used and were randomly divided into four groups of five animals each. Group A served as control, group B received 300 mg/kg body weight/day of ethanolic extract of Garcina kola, group C received 600 mg/kg body weight/day of ethanolic extract of Garcina kola, and group D received 900 mg/kg body weight/day of ethanolic extract of Garcina kola. The treatment lasted for 28 days and on the 29th day the animals were sacrificed and their testes harvested, weighed and fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and SPSS version 2.0.

Results: There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the relative testicular weight of animals in group D. Histopathological findings showed mild degeneration of the interstitial cell of Leydig and disorganization of the seminiferous tubule in group B, group C showed moderate degeneration and arrest of spermatogenesis and moderate apoptosis of the interstitial cell of Leydig while group D showed moderate to severe degeneration with severe arrest of the spermatogenesis and moderate apoptosis of the interstitial cell of Leydig.

Conclusion: Chronic administration of ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola has the potential of causing testicular damage and probably infertility.