Protective effect of mixture of honey and Garcinia kola extract against cyclophosphamide–induced reproductive toxicity in male albino rats

Cyclophosphamide is a widely used drug for the treatment of many human malignant tumors. This study evaluated the protective potentials of fresh honey and Garcinia kola extract against reproductive toxicity caused by Cyclophosphamide in male Wistar rat. Group A served as the negative control and were administered feed and normal saline (2 ml/kg bw) daily for six weeks by oral gavage. Group B served as positive control and received feed and Cyclophosphamide (100mg/kg bw) via injection after 24hrs was given normal saline for six weeks. Groups C, D and E received Cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg bw) via injection after 24hrs was respectively administered fresh honey (2ml/kg bw), a mixture of Garcinia kola and unprocessed Honey (2 ml/kg bw) plus Garcinia kola extract (100mg/kg bw) for the next six weeks. Animals in groups C, D and E revealed increased in body weight gain and this was statistically significant at p<0.05. The final body weight of the cyclophosphamide treated rats was significantly reduced from 183.2±8.02 to 195.10±8.08. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in the weight of the testis of the rats administered with cyclophosphamide compared with the positive control was observed (0.93±0.050 vs 1.22±0.15). However, post treatment with fresh honey, Garcinia kola and a combination of honey and Garcinia kola significantly improved the weights of testes compared with positive control (Group C: 1.13±0.05 vs 0.93±0.05; Group D: 1.20 ±0.020 Vs 93±0.05; Group E: 1.18±0.040 vs 93±0.05). The serum concentration of Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone and testosterone was significant (P<0.05) reduced in group B rats compared with Group A rats. Separate treatments with Garcinia kola extracts and unprocessed honey cause an elevation in serum LH, FSH and testosterone levels compared with the positive control rats. The mixture of Garcinia kola extracts and fresh honey improved serum levels LH, FSH and testosterone significantly (p<0.05) (Group E) compared with group B. The results obtained indicated that fresh honey and Garcinia kola either used separately or in combination can ameliorate Cyclophosphamide (CPA) induced reproductive toxicity in rats.