In vitro screening of the potential of six Cameroonian medicinal plants on male reproductive biomarkers – Investigational Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology

Abstract

Background: Male infertility and erectile dysfunction are the main conditions associated with male reproductive function disorders. Testosterone is the main hormone that regulates male reproductive function, while nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator involved in the erectile process.

Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate in vitro the potential of the aqueous extract of six Cameroonian medicinal plants traditionally used for male reproductive function: Palisota ambigua, Terminalia superba, Rauvolfia macrophylla, Pycnanthus angolensis, Pausynistalia yohimbe, and Shumanniophyton magnificum.

Results: Their effect on testosterone and nitric oxide production was evaluated using rat interstitial and macrophage cells, respectively. Then, the antioxidant properties, flavonoids, and total phenolic content were assessed. The phytochemical screening was also performed.

Conclusion: Each plant extract significantly increased (p<0.05) testosterone production. At 100 µg/mL, the extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum showed the highest level (3.730 ng/mL). Each plant extract significantly increased (p<0.05) the production of nitric oxide. The aqueous extract of Rauvolfia macrophylla showed the highest level of nitric oxide with an EC₅₀ = 8.554 µg/mL. For antioxidant activities, Terminalia superba showed the highest antiradical activity (SC₅₀ = 4.796 µg/mL), the highest reducing power (OD = 2.235 at 700 nm), and the highest total antioxidant capacity (276.035 mgEAA/g of plant extract) and while Pausynistalia yohimbe, showed the highest inhibition on lipid peroxidation (15.170 µg/mL). Terminalia superba also showed the highest flavonoid (13.419 mgEQ/g) and total phenolic (300.813 mgEGA/g) content. The phytochemical screening of the plant extracts showed many active secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, and glycosides. All the extracts showed androgenic effects and antioxidant activities without significant cytotoxicity, thus supporting the use of these medicinal plants by traditional healers for managing male infertility.

Keywords: Antioxidant properties; aqueous extracts; medicinal plants; nitric oxide; testosterone.

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