Browsing by Author "Wambugu, Enoc Njoroge"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Evaluation of Sex Selection Activity and Safety of Vernonia amygdalina (Del.), Rubia cordifolia (Linn.), and Asparagus racemosus (Willd.) in Rats
    (Kenyatta University, 2023-01) Wambugu, Enoc Njoroge
    The plants: Vernonia amygdalina, Rubia cordifolia, and Asparagus racemosus ha‘ve been used in Kenya by the Kalenjins and the Samburu people to select for a boy thld but there have been no scientific studies to establish evidence on these claims. Therefore, this study aimed at screening for the sex selection potential of these herbs before and during conception. Clean plant roots were obtained, processed before methanol extraction, and orally administered to Rattus norvegicus rats before and after mating for one week. Extract doses of 50, 86.7, and 150 mg/kg body weight for efficacy assays and 150, 260, and 450 mg/kg for the toxicity assays. The plants were administered individually and also in a mixture of the ratios of 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:1:2. Tn female rats, the offects of the extracts on vaginal pH, estrogen and cortisol levels were evaluated while in males the effects on sperm count and morphology were evaluated alongside testosterone and cortisol hormone levels. After parturition, the sex ratio of the pups was determined. The plant extracts were also subjected to phytochemical and mineral analysis to identify and quantify present phyto-compounds. Sub-acute toxicity assays were also carried out on the extracts using rats. Results were...