The Dose-Dependent Testiculoprotective and Testiculotoxic Potentials of Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. Leaves Extract in Rat.

Summary: Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. (fluted pumpkin), is native to West Africa but occurs mostly in its cultivated form in various parts of southern Nigeria. It is a darkish green leafy vegetable popularly used in soup and folk medicine for the management of many diseases in Nigeria. In the present study the effects of fresh Telfairia occidentalis leaves (TOL) extract on the rat testis histomorphometry, spermatogenic parameters and oxidative status were investigated. 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day/oral route TOL extract were administered on three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats respectively for 56 days. A fourth group that served as control was given 10 mL/kg/day of distilled water. Animals that had 200 mg/kg of the extract showed improved sperm parameters and a fairly preserved testicular oxidative status. However, the groups of rats that were treated with both 400 and 800 mg/kg of the extract exhibited poor histomorphometric profiles, deranged sperm characteristics and increased evidence of testicular oxidative stress. Our results therefore indicate that, while the lower dose of TOL extract is testiculoprotective, the higher doses indeed demonstrate testiculotoxicity in the rat. Thus the dose of application of the extract in folk medicine should be regulated to forestall possible reproductive impairment. Industrial relevance: Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. is widely used in traditional Nigerian medicine especially as a hematopoietic agent. Its effects on other organs including the testis have however, been largely under-investigated. The present study therefore explores the changes in the testes of rats fed with fresh extract of Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. leaves with a view of providing base line information on the safety of the plant used in folkloric medicine.