Antaphrodisiac Potential of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola) in Male Wistar Rats

There is a general believe that bitter kola is
an aphrodisiac agent, thus men consume it to enhance
their libido. This study is aimed at assessing the
effect of bitter kola on male sex hormones. Twentyfour adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided
into four groups of six each after seven days
acclimatization period. Animals in group 1 were
administered normal saline solution while those in
groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered 100, 200 and
400 mg/kg body weight of bitter kola extracts
respectively for twenty-eight days. Administration
was done 12 hourly via oral route. At the end of the
administration period, the rats were sacrificed after
an overnight fast under diethyl ether as anesthesia.
Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture.
Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH),
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone
were determined using enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A dose-dependent
reduction was observed in serum levels of LH and
testosterone in animals exposed to bitter kola extract
when compared with those in animals in the control
group at P