Aqueous extract of Nicotiana tabacum impaired serum testosterone and testicular weight in male wistar rats

Abstract

Background: Tobacco which is a product of Nicotiana tabacum (N. tabacum) has nicotine as its primary phytochemical. Nicotine has been reported to be an addictive drug and the leading cause of tobacco addiction worldwide. The male reproductive system is known to be highly sensitive to many chemicals and drugs which have been found to pose adverse effects on male reproductive capacity. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of N. tabacum on serum testosterone and testicular weight in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 18 male rats weighing (140–230 g) were used for this study. The animals were randomly divided into three groups (A, B, and C), containing six rats each. Group A served as control, whereas Group B and C were orally administered sublethal doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight of the N. tabacum extract, respectively, once per day for 21 days. At the end of the experimental period, all the animals were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay and both testes were excised and weighed immediately. Results: There was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the serum testosterone levels of rats treated with the extract in a dose-dependent manner when compared with the control, there was also a significant reduction in the testicular weight of the treated groups when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that aqueous extract of N. tabacum at doses of 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg when administered for a period of 3-week impaired serum testosterone level, testicular weight, and bodyweight of male Wistar rats.