Antioxidants from stem bark of Kigelia africana inhibits free radicals and membrane lipid damage in rat testes in vitro

Abstract

Jacob K. Akintunde, Daniel G. Akintunde, Emmanuel A. Irondi, Kehinde Babaita,Ramat Labaika, Ojo Sunday

Objective: Bioactive ingredients of plants have been used as a central source of medicine and chemo-therapies for centuries. Nevertheless, the quantification and characterization of phytochemicals in methanol extract stem bark of Kigelia africana (MESBKA) will be highly advantageous if found affirmative. Methods: MESBKA was taken for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Thereafter, its effect on pro-oxidant induced hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxidation in rat’s testes was evaluated. Results: The GC-MS analysis provided four peaks of eighteen different active compounds. Also, MESBKA contains antioxidants (polyunsaturated fatty acids, esters and poly alcohols) which are prophylactics of hydroxyl radicals and inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the testes. Furthermore, MESBKA inhibited pro-oxidants induced hydroxyl radicals and lipid peroxidation in rat’s testes in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: The antioxidant content of Kigelia africana could have prevented inflammatory responses to enhance male fertility in rat. Isolation and translation of individual components of the plant would help to find new drugs to cure and/or prevent male infertility