Phytochemical Analysis and Effects of Chronic and Sub-Chronic Administrations of Methanolic Seed Extract of Garcinia Kola (Heckel) on some Physiological Parameters in Male Rodents: Relevance on Traditional Claim of Iits Aphrodisiac Properties

Abstract

The plant, Garcinia kola, is indigenous to most tropical rain forest of West Africa. Its consumers have for long traditionally claimed the seeds and other parts possess aphrodisiac properties. The animals were treated with the extract by oral administration in doses of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500-mg/kg-body weight in their respective groups for either 20 days or 60 days. Control group received normal saline 1 ml/100g of body weight accordingly for the same period. The results from this investigation showed that the methanolic seed extract produced a concentration-dependent decrease on blood pressure of an anesthetized male cat, similar with that of acetylcholine, and was blocked by atropine in a competitive manner. The extract cause significant increase on onset of sleep in male rats (P<0.05) and also decreases the duration of sleep (P<0.05). The haematological analysis showed that the extract has anti-thrombotic property through significant increase of bleeding and clotting time (P<0.05) and decrease of platelet counts (P<0.05). Both the duration of treatment with the extract and variation of the doses had significant influence on the outcome of the measured parameters.The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids and carbohydrates. Following abundant andrelevant literatures which indicate the correlation between the results of this study and aphrodisiac properties, it is suggested that the results can serve as scientific evidence that supports the traditional claim that Garcinia kola possesses aphrodisiac property that may justify its long-term consumption.