Steroidogenic Effects and Phytochemical Profile of Aqueous Extract of <i>Tetracarpidium conophorum</i> (Mull. Arg.) & Hutch Kernels in Male Rats

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the steroidogenic effects and phytochemical profile of aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum in male rats. Assays of biochemical reproductive parameters (total cholesterol, serum testosterone, FSH and LH) were carried out using Cypress and ELISA kits respectively. The chemical screening of the extract was conducted through tube reactions, the principle of which involves adding a reagent to a quantity of the extract, and subsequently observing the resulting reactions such as precipitation and color change. The results obtained showed that oral administration of the aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum (250 and 500 mg/kg) produced a significant increase (p Tetracarpidium conophorum kernels at the doses studied produced a very significant decrease in total cholesterol levels (p Tetracarpidium conophorum kernels could have hypocholesterolemic and steroidogenic potential. A study of the aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum on semen quality and oxidative stress parameters deserves to be conducted.