Modification of testosterone levels with Piptadeniastrum africanum and Cordia plathytyrsa may influence metabolic parameters in Wistar rats

Testosterone supplementation in men regularizes its levels and this is thought to ameliorate body composition and thus metabolic parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extracts of Piptadeniastrum africanum and Cordia plathytyrsa on serum testosterone level and some parameters of the metabolic syndrome in adult male rats. Methanolic extracts of leaves of C. plathytyrsa and bark of P. africanum were prepared and used for evaluating antioxidant potential by measuring the polyphenolic content (Folin - Ciocalteu method), the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the scavenging effects of extracts on 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-Picrilhydrazyl (DPPH)  and 2,2’azinobis(3-ethylbenzotiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals. Both extracts of C. plathytyrsa and P. africanum (150 and 300 mg/kg.BW) were administered orally to male albino rats of 6 to 7 months old. At the end of an experimentation period that lasted 15 days, they were sacrificed, and their blood collected in tubes with and without anticoagulant for preparation of plasma and serum respectively. The prepared samples were used for the evaluation of their lipid profile (triglyceride and total cholesterol), dihydrotestosterone level, antioxidant status (plasma thiols and FRAP), markers of hepatic toxicity (transaminases activities and serum proteins) and a marker of renal toxicity (creatinine). The results obtained showed that both extracts increased testosterone levels as treated rats were found to have significantly higher testosterone levels (by up to 93%) (p<0.05) compared to control. Both extracts did not induce oxidative stress. They also did not modify total cholesterol, glycemia, serum protein levels and evaluated markers of hepatic toxicity. Contrarily, rats treated with P. africanum had higher triglyceride levels (p<0.05) compared to control. Those treated with the higher dose of C. plathytyrsa had higher levels of creatinine. From the results obtained it was concluded that methanolic extract of C. plathytyrsa enhanced testosterone synthesis but did not influence all metabolic parameters evaluated.