EFFECT OF BI-HERBAL FORMULATION

This study evaluated the effect of N-hexane leaf extract of bi-herbal formulation of Carica papaya and Vernonia Amygdalina on the reproductive system of male reproductive system. A total of 25 Wistar rats were used in total for the conduction of the experiment. The animal was distributed into six groups comprising of five rats and fed with grower feed for a period of 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and subjected to laparotomy after which the testes, prostate, seminal vesicles and right epididymis were isolated, blood and sperm samples were also collected for hormonal assay, sperm analysis and histopathology analysis. The study revealed no mortality, loss of cognitive/ loss of agility or any physical morphology associated with toxicity in any of the treatment group. A significant reduction in weight index was recorded in the extract treated groups. Previous studies done on this plant showed Vernonia amygdalina and Carica papaya exhibiting weight loss properties individually, hence, the reduction can be attributed to the rich mileu of phytochemicals in both plants. Another mechanism suggested for the weight loss, is the interference of pancreatic lipase by the extract. This causes inhibiting or delay in the digestion and absorption which consequently result in a reduction in body weight. However, there was no significant difference in the organ weight and relative organ weight of the extract when compared to that of the control group. Total sperm count was significantly lowered in all treatment groups. Decrease in the progressive motility and normal cell counts were respectively recorded. The result of the study shows that the bi-herbal
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