Aphrodisiac Plant Pausinystalia yohimbe Induces Myocardiac Histological Normalcy in Wistar Rats

Abstract

The root of Pausinystalia yohimbe (k. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille, is commonly used by traditional herbal practitioners in Nigeria and around the globe without a safe dose regimen to treat erectile dysfunction and other related reproductive disorders. The present study examines some histological indices in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) treated orally with P. yohimbe methanol root using twenty five Wistar rats divided into five groups (n=5) of four treatment groups and one control group. The control group was administered 10 mL/kg distilled water only, while treatment groups received 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of P. yohimbe root extract by oral cannula for 14 days. On day 15, animals in all group were anaesthetized, their heart were isolated and processed histologically. The results showed normal histological indices of the hearts examined, which were resemblance of, and significantly not different from the control. Therefore, the present study provides support for the safety profile of P. yohimbe herbal preparation in a concentration of doses administered to male Wistar rats. However, further studies may attempt to look at higher doses under similar circumstances.

Keywords

• Aphrodisiac plant;
• Pausinystalia yohimbe;
• Histological indices;
• Heart;
• Wistar rat