Vitamin C reduced Pausinytalia Yohimbe induced reproductive toxicity in female Wister rats

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used as a source of ailments healing for several years and had gained acceptance as well as widespread use in many cultures of the world. Pausinytalia Yohimbe (P.yohimbe) had been used in folklore medicine by tribes in Nigeria as aphrodisiac. Despite its beneficial effects as an aphrodisiac, we had demonstrated that chronic use of P.yohimbe had adverse effects on both male and female reproductive systems as evidenced by its effects on hormonal and structural changes in the reproductive systems. This study was done to determine if Vitamin C a potent anti oxidant can ameliorate the toxic effects of P.yohimbe.

Twenty female Wistar rats weighing 160 -200g with normal estrus cycles were randomly allotted into four experimental groups of five rats each. Group A was the control group while groups B, C and D served as test groups. Group A received distilled water while group B received 5% Vitamin C only, group C received 150mg/kg body weight and D received vitamin C and 150mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of P. yohimbe respectively for 4 weeks via oral gavage. Estrus cycles of the rats were evaluated daily and were sacrificed after 4 weeks. Blood samples obtained were used for hormonal assay (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol and progesterone). Ovaries and uteri removed were used for Heamatoxylin and Eosin staining for histology.

Vitamin C restored normal estrus cycle, improved gonadotropins (FSH and LH) production, and also ameliorated the degenerative changes in both ovaries and uteri of rats treated with P. yohimbe. Vitamin C had no significant effects on estradiol and progesterone production of rats treated with P. yohimbe.

We concluded that Vitamin C ameliorated P. yohimbe induced reproductive toxicity in female Wistar rats. It may be that the mechanism of P. yohimbe induced reproductive tissue destruction and gonadotropins decrease is via oxidative stress. Vitamin C may be recommended for those chronically exposed to P. yohimbe for prevention.

Keywords: Pausinytalia Yohimbe, Reproductive hormones, Reproductive toxicity, Vitamin C, Wister rats

DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/72-06

Publication date: June 30^th 2022