BIOCHEMICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL

Sphenocentrum jollyanum is a member of the diverse family of plants which is known as Menispermaceae. It is a perennial plant which thrives in deep shade, from sea-level up to 400m altitude. Extract of this plant has been successfully used as anti-diabetic,anti-bacterial, and antioxidant agents. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of methanol leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum on biochemical (liver, kidney), antioxidant, hormonal and histopathological parameters of male Wistar rats. A total of twenty-five male Wistar rats were used for this study and equally distributed into five groups. Group 1 served as control, while other groups were the test groups. Group 2 received 0.7mg/kg of sildenafil citrate, Group 3, 4 and 5 received graded doses of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 500mg/kg body weight of methanol leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum respectively. Prior to the commencement of the study, the animals were acclimatized for two weeks. The extract was orally administered to the rats, and after twenty-eight days, the rats were sacrificed, and biochemical and histopathological assays were carried out. Results from this study showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity in the group that received 100mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively, when compared to that of the control group. There was also a significant increase (P < 0.05) in albumin and total protein concentration in the 500mg/kg body weight test group, compared to that of control. The study also showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in total sperm cell count in the group administered 0.7mg/kg of sildenafil citrate, compared to that of the control group. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in the 100mg/kg body weight test group, compared to the control group. There was a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in creatinine concentration in the 200mg/kg, 500mg/kg body weight, and the group that received 0.7mg/kg of sildenafil citrate, compared to the control group. Histopathological findings from this study showed a normal testes and prostate gland. The methanol leafe extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum also showed a high reducing power during Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay when compared to standard ascorbic acid.