Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Garcinia cambogia is a plant with reported spermatogenic properties. ciprofloxcin is an antibiotic used in the treatment of of various bacterial infection but with reported toxic effects on the testes. The modulatory effects of Garcinia cambogia on ciprofloxacin-induced testicular toxicity was evaluated in this study.

Method: Twenty one (21) male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four (4) groups. Group A was given ciprofloxacin 150 mg/kg only, Group B was given 150 mg/kg ciprofloxacin and 400 mg/kg Garcinia cambogia, Group C was administered 400 mg/kg Garcinia cambogia only while Group D served as the normal control group and received 1.5 ml of distilled water (placebo). Administration lasted for 30 days and thereafter the animals were sacrificed; blood samples were collected for hormonal studies; and the testes harvested and processed for histological studies.

Results: Findings obtained showed significantly reduced concentration of luteinising and follicle stimulating hormones in ciprofloxacin-treated group compared to the Garcinia cambogia-treated and control groups at P<0.05. The concentration of testosterone in ciprofloxacin + Garcinia cambogia-treated group was significantly higher than in the ciprofloxacin-treated group. Histological analysis revealed improved seminiferous tubule architecture in Garcinia cambogia treated rats compared to the ciprofloxacin-treated group.

Conclusion: The results show that Garcinia cambogia extract has spermatogenic properties mediated through its influence on pituitary hormones, thereby ameliorating ciprofloxacin-induced testicular toxicity.