Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) on the Hormonal Milieu of Male Rats
Author:
Ekaluo, U. B., Ikpeme, E. V., Udensi, O., Markson, A. A., Madunagu, B. E., Omosun, G. and Umana, E. J.
Abstract:
The effects of aqueous leaf extract of neem on serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), estrogen and prolactin levels in male albino rats were studied. Rats treated with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of neem extract intraperitoneally daily for 15 days showed very highly significant (P< 0.001) reduction effects on serum concentration of testosterone, FSH, LH/ICSH and prolactin when compared with their control counterparts. On the other hand, the aqueous leaf extract of neem had a very highly significantly (P<0.001) increasing effect on serum concentration of estradiol. There were dose-dependent effects of the aqueous leaf extract of neem on the serum concentration of the hormones. These observations suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of neem had strong anti-androgenic property and capability to disrupt hormonal functions. Hence, its indiscriminate use in malaria chemotherapy could increase the in risk of infertility in males.