Effects of crude alkaloid extract of Garcinia Kola seed on serum gonadotrophins and testosterone levels in male rats

Abstract

The effects of daily oral administration of alkaloid extract of Garcinia kola seed (GKA) at 1500mg/kg on serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (TST) were studied in male rats (100-150g) for six to seven weeks. The pair-fed control rats received oral doses of methanolic saline daily for six to seven weeks. The animals were injected i.m. with Menotrophin (1.07IU/kg) or Testosterone (2.6mg/kg) during the seventh week of receiving GKA or following six weeks of treatment with GKA. The control rats were injected with normal saline or olive oil vehicles during the seventh week. At the end of the seventh week, all animals were exsanguinated to collect serum for hormone assays. Results showed that levels of serum gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) were significantly elevated, while serum TST levels were markedly reduced, compared to the pair-fed controls.

RUNNING TITLE: G. kola alkaloid effects on endocrine organs