Main Article Content
Growth-Suppressing Effect of Calotropis procera (Giant Milkweed) on Body Weight and the Male Reproductive Organs of Wistar Rats
Abstract
Keywords: Calotropis procera, epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, testes
The effect of oral administration of 2mg/gm-body weight of aqueous extract of Calotropis procera on the body weights and reproductive organ weights, in fifty male Wistar rats was investigated. Body weight showed significant decrease (P<0.05) over time in the treated animals. Test rats treated for 14, 28 and 35 days had significant (P<0.05) decrease in mean relative testicular weight compared to the control, whereas only test rats treated for 7 and 28 days had significant decrease (P<0.05) in relative epididymal weight. Accessory sex glands decreased significantly in relative weight (P<0.05) in rat treated for 28 and 35 days. Observations from this study suggest that fresh leaf extract of Calotropis procera has growth - suppressing effects on the body weight and reproductive organs in male Wistar rat.
Trop. Vet. Vol. 20(3) 2002: 132-138
The effect of oral administration of 2mg/gm-body weight of aqueous extract of Calotropis procera on the body weights and reproductive organ weights, in fifty male Wistar rats was investigated. Body weight showed significant decrease (P<0.05) over time in the treated animals. Test rats treated for 14, 28 and 35 days had significant (P<0.05) decrease in mean relative testicular weight compared to the control, whereas only test rats treated for 7 and 28 days had significant decrease (P<0.05) in relative epididymal weight. Accessory sex glands decreased significantly in relative weight (P<0.05) in rat treated for 28 and 35 days. Observations from this study suggest that fresh leaf extract of Calotropis procera has growth - suppressing effects on the body weight and reproductive organs in male Wistar rat.
Trop. Vet. Vol. 20(3) 2002: 132-138
