Fertility enhancing effects of aqueous extract of leaves of Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex De Cantolle on female wistar rats

摘要

Cnestis ferruginea (Connaraceae) is one of the plants used as a therapeutic agent in many cultures in tropical Africa. To evaluate the pharmacological effects of the aqueous extract of C. ferruginea on reproductive parameters of female rats. Selected regular cycle female rats were randomized into 2 sets of 18 each and treated for 15 (set I) and 30 days (set II). Each set was then divided equally into three groups. Group 1 (control) was orally administered with distilled water once a day. Group 2 and 3 were respectively treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. Estrous cycle pattern was monitored before and during plant extract application whereas reproductive organs and reproductive hormones were determined at the end of each treatment. C. ferruginea induced a blockage of the estrous cycle at the estrous phase. Thus, animals treated showed highly significant increase (p