Effect of Ethanol Extract of Ficus thonningii on Sperm Parameters and Testicular Morphology in Amlodipine-Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

The histology of the testis and sperm parameters of Wistar rats was investigated with a view to determining the potential of Ficus thonningii ethanol leaf extract in correcting the testicular damage caused by high dosage of Amlodipine. Five groups of Wistar rats were used for the study. They included, the control that received sterile water (vehicle), 0.2 ml/ 100 g rat; a drug-only group which received a dosage of 0.07 mg/kg, p.o.; a drug and low dose extract group that received 0.07 mg/kg, p.o. and extract of 300 mg/kg, p.o.; a drug and high dose extract group that received 0.07 mg/kg, p.o. and extract of 400 mg/kg, p.o.; and an extract-only group which received 300 mg/kg, p.o. of extract, all for a duration of 64 days (8 weeks). The values obtained from the control and treatment groups were compared statistically using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference relative to the control group for sperm parameters. In conclusion, ethanol leaf extract of Ficus thonningii had ameliorative and prophylactic abilities to counter damage induced on the testis by Amlodipine when the extract was administered at both low and high doses in test animal subjects.