Evaluation of testicular myeloperoxidase activity, DNA fragmentation and body weight in male Wistar rats following oral administration of ethanolic extract of Xylopia aethiopica

Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae), commonly known as African pepper, is a tropical plant traditionally used for a wide range of medicinal purposes, including its application in reproductive health. Despite its widespread use, the potential effects of X. aethiopica on male reproductive parameters, particularly biochemical markers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and DNA fragmentation and bodyweight, remain insufficiently explored. This study investigated the influence of ethanolic crude extract of X. aethiopica (XAE) on testicular MPO activity, DNA fragmentation and body weight in male Wistar rats. Twenty five male rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 5). Group 1 received distilled water and standard rat feed (control), while groups 2, 3, and 4 were orally administered 15 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg body weight of XAE, respectively, for 65 consecutive days. Body weight was recorded weekly for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, rats were sacrificed, and their testes were harvested, homogenized in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), andcentrifuged. The supernatants were analyzed for MPO activity and DNA fragmentation. Results indicated no statistically significant differences in body weight, MPO activity, or DNA fragmentation between the control and treated groups (p > 0.05). These findingssuggest that sub-chronic administration of XAE at the tested doses does not adversely affect testicular oxidative stress levels or DNA integrity. This study contributes to the understanding of the safety profile of X. aethiopica, supporting its potential as a safe therapeutic agent at moderate doses.