Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Plukenetia conophora on female infertility that involves the qualitative phytochemical analysis, in-vitro and in-vivo antioxidant property of the aqueous ethanolic extract and ellagic acid extract of Plukenetia conophora leaves. This research was promptedbased on the traditional claims that, it is used for the treatment of infertility in females.

Methods: Qualitative phytochemical screening of the aqueous ethanolic extract was performed. In-vitro antioxidant assay of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) was determined. In-vivo antioxidant activity investigated was catalase (CAT). Aqueous ethanolic extract and Ellagic acid extract of Plukenetia conophora were administered orally for 30 days to the female albino rats in the groups, including female rats induced with temporary infertility drug(POSTINOR) for 4 days before the administration of the extracts. Testosterone was determined using competitive microplate immunoassay.

Results: The phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of steroids, phlobatannins, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, resins. The aqueous ethanolic extract showed inhibition of 12.72% and ellagic acid extract inhibition was 77.95% TAC at 100μg/ml concentrations. Also, the aqueous ethanolic extract caused reduction of the activities of CAT (0.317U/ml) and ellagic acid extract caused reduction of the activities of CAT (0.591U/ml) compared with control group. The results clearly demonstrated that Plukenetia conophora possessed good antioxidant activity.

Significant increase was observed in testosterone level of both aqueous ethanolic extract group and ellagic acid extract group as compared with control group. Also, there was significant increase in triglyceride level of both the induced infertile group and ellagic acid group as compared with the control group. There was a significant increase in cholesterol level of the induced infertile group as compared with the control group.

Conclusion: It was concluded that Plukenetia conophora leaves may be used as female fertility agent.

Keywords: Infertility, Plukenetia conophora, Reactive Oxygen Species.

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Oladimeji S. O.

Department of Biochemistry, Lagos State University, Ojo