Methanolic Extract of Tapinanthus bangwensis Exhibits Pro-Fertility and Antioxidant Activities in Female Albino Rats

Aims: To determine the effect of methanolic extract of Tapinanthus bangwensis on reproductive hormones and antioxidant enzymes in female Wistar rats.

Study Design: Experimental Research.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Lagos State University, Lagos Nigeria between November 2019 and February 2020.

Methodology: A total of 40 rats were used and were divided into eight groups of 5 rats. The study was carried out for 21 days, the rats were induced with Postinor-2 for 7 days after which Tapinanthus bangwensis extract was administered for 14 days and was compared against the vehicle (oil), Postinor-2, and extract controls. Hormonal level estimation (Progesterone and prolactin) and in-vivo antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and alkaline phosphatase activity) were estimated using standard procedures.

Results: The extract administration showed a significant increase (p<0.01, p<0.05) in the level of prolactin concentration in the PLD group (2.027ng/ml) compared to other groups. Also, there was an increased (p<0.01) progesterone concentration in the ILD group (65.35ng/ml) as compared to other groups (CIC). The extract-only (EO) group had the highest level of catalase activity (2.331U/ml), compared with all extract groups and there was no significance in the SOD level across the different groups. Lastly, there was a significant increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the EO and ILD groups (p<0.05) compared to the COO group.

Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Tapinanthus bangwensis exhibits pro-fertility and antioxidant activities.