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Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. anthocyanins alter circulating
reproductive hormones in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
I. O. Omotuyi1, A.
Ologundudu1*, V. O. Onwubiko2, M. D.
Wogu2 and F. O. Obi3
1Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Adekunle Ajasin
University, Akungba, Ondo State, Nigeria.
2School
of Basic Sciences (zoology), Benson Idahosa University,
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
3Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of
Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
oluologundudu@yahoo.com.
Tel: +2348053447560.
Accepted 5 February, 2010 |
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Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (family
Malvecea)
calyx anthocyanin was investigated on circulating levels
of reproductive hormones in rabbits (Oryctolagus
cuniculus). Forty (40) rabbits (twenty each for male and
female) weighing 1.2 ± 0.2 kg were grouped into two control
(water control, anthocyanin (delphinidin-3-monoglucoside)
standard) and two experimental groups (whole extract
(calyces of H. sabdariffa L.) and anthocyanin extract
of calyces of H. sabdariffa L). While the water
control group received 1.0 ml of water at 0900 h everyday
for 28 days at 14:10 light/dark regime, the anthocyanin
control and experimental group were administered 200 mg/kg
oral doses of the different preparations. Blood samples were
drawn prior to administration (day zero) and every seven
days at 0900 h for the estimation of serum prolactin,
follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone using ELISA.
28-day daily oral administration of
delphinidin-3-monoglucoside and anthocyanin-rich extract of
H. sabdariffa L. to rabbits is associated with high
circulating prolactin in males and non-lactating female
rabbits. This may be potentially important in
phytotherapuetic induction of milk production in lactating
animals. This treatment regime is also associated with
lowered circulating FSH in males and female rabbits.
Long-term reduction in circulating FSH levels might play
important role in failed follicular development in
developing female animals and gonadal atrophy in matured
animals.
Key words:
Hibiscus sabdariffa,
anthocyanins, serum prolactin, follicle stimulating
hormone, testosterone. |
