EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF PANAX GINSENG SUPPLEMENT ON NICOTINE AND CHRONIC STRESS INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY IN MALE ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Ukoh Imoh Emmanuel*, Bisong Sunday Agba and Ebong Patrick Ekong

ABSTRACT

The current study assessed the efficacy of panax ginseng supplement in nicotine and stress induced reproductive toxicity in 48 male albino Wistars rats (150-200g body weight). The rats were grouped into two sets, the first set was control, stress, nicotine and nicotine + stress induced, while the second sets were treated with panax ginseng. The result was analysed using One way ANOVA, followed by post hoc multiple comparisons and level of significance set at p<0.05. Sperm count, motility, rapid progressive forward movement and sperm viability were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in nicotine + stress compared to stress and nicotine groups. Percentage of sperm debris, non-motile sperm and slow progressive forward movement were significantly increased (p<0.05) in nicotine + stress compared to stress and nicotine groups. Luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in nicotine + stress compared to stress and nicotine. Follicle stimulating hormone levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in stress and stress + nicotine, but significantly increased (p<0.05) in nicotine compared to control. Testicular and epididymal tissues of nicotine + stress rats were seriously impaired compared to stress and nicotine rats. Panax ginseng significantly (p<0.05) recovered the changes in the assessed sperm characteristics and hormonal parameters, and as well improved the testicular and epididymal tissue alterations observed in the untreated groups. Panax ginseng appeared to ameliorate the adverse effect induced by nicotine plus chronic stress on male reproductive parameters.

Keywords: Testicular and epididymal tissues, sperm debris, nicotine + stress.