Phytochemical Study, Acute Toxicity and Fertility Potential Effect of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) on the Histology of Wistar Rats Testicles

Abstract

Sarcocephalus latifolius is a popular medicinal plant used in treatment of many ailments basically in West Africa and particularly in Ivory Coast. Thereby, this study aims to find out the major chemical groups in the aqueous leaf extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius, its acute toxicity and its fertility potential. In this perspective, a phytochemical study to determine chemical groups was carried out. Furthermore, the acute oral toxicity study was conducted according to OECD guideline 423, using three female rats sequentially. As for the fertility study, it was performed on the histology of the testes of forty albino rats of 60 days of age weighing between 130 g and 170 g and treated for 30 and 60 days, at doses of 250; 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight from the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius. The phytochemical screaming of the aqueous leaf extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius revealed the presence of polyterpene sterols, polyphenols, flavonoids, quinonics and alkaloids. In addition, the acute oral toxicity assay did not reveal any signs of toxicity, morbidity or mortality at studied doses. Finally, the histology of testes of the albino rats treated with the plant extract showed a more intense spermatogenesis, seminiferous tubules and more developed interstitial tissue compared to control. To sum up Sarcocephalus latifolius, although rich in phytochemical compounds, might not be toxic in a single dose and might have androgenic effects.