The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2019;8(3):117-123 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2019.8306

Research Article

Baillonella toxisperma improves sexual performance and protects against stress-induced reproductive dysfunction in male Wistar rats

Rudy Valdès Simo¹ , Sylvin Benjamin Ateba¹ , Stéphane Zingué^1,2 , Constant Anatole Pieme³ , Dieudonné Njamen⁴

Rudy Valdès Simo,Sylvin Benjamin Ateba,Stéphane Zingué,Constant Anatole Pieme,Dieudonné Njamen

1. Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé1, P.O. Box 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon
2. Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 55 Maroua, Cameroon
3. Department of Biochemistryand Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1,P.O. Box 1364Yaoundé, Cameroon
4. Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 14th May, 2019 / Accepted: 3rd June, 2019

Abstract

Baillonella toxisperma Pierre (Sapotaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in Central Africa against several diseases including erectile dysfunction and male infertility. However, no study dealing with these male reproductive dysfunctions has been published until now. Accordingly, the present study was undertaken. It evaluated the capacity of an aqueous extract of stem bark of B. toxisperma (BT) at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/d to induce aphrodisiac effects and prevent the stress-induced reproductive dysfunction in males using normal non-experienced (an 8-day oral treatment) and stressed (a 6-h/day immobilization stress for 35 consecutive days)male Wistar rats. Both in normal and stressed animals, BT at the doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg decreased (p < 0.05) the mount and intromission latencies, and increased (p < 0.05) the number of total penile licking, mount and intromission as well as ejaculation frequencies. In stressed animals, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in sperm levels, sperm mobility as well as in the relative weight of androgen-dependent organs (testis, epididymis and seminal vesicles) was observed at the same doses compared with the stressed control. These results suggest that this aqueous extract of B. toxisperma might endow with aphrodisiac and androgenic properties in normal and stressed male Wistar rats.