Nwankudu Oluchi Nnenna, Ifenkwe Daniel Chidi*
Background: Ananas Comosus (Pineapple) is rich in bromelain (An enzyme that digests protein). Ananas Comosus contains aromatase; an enzyme that converts testosterone to oestrogen. Increased oestrogen in male feminizes. Therefore, this research was set up to ascertain the effect of Ananas Comosus (Ac) juice on the hormonal, and biochemical profile of male vertebrates.
Methods: Sixteen male albino rats of 14 weeks of age divided into 4 groups of 4 rats per group were used. The rats were kept in 16 standard cages, fed ad libitum and had access to clean water. Treatments were 2 ml/kg body weight of distilled water for control, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Ananas Comosus juice for 56 days. On day 57, a female rat in oestrus was introduced per male to observe the libido of the male. Blood was collected for haematology and serology after which the male rats were sacrificed. Testes were exteriorized and the caudal epididymis lacerated. Spermatozoa concentrations were scoped into bijou bottles containing 1 ml of Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS). Spermatozoa analysis and histopathology were done using standard methods.
Result: There was significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in serum testosterone in Ac juice treated males while estradiol significantly increased. Libido of Ac juice treated males were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced, but the histopathology showed evidence of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules. Liver profile of Ac treated rats showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) sera decrease in aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphate.
Discussion: Decrease in serum testosterone leads to a decrease in spermatogenesis which might have led to a decrease in spermatozoa concentration and low libido. However, histopathology of the testes revealed some spermatids and spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules. This shows that although Ac juice leads to low libido and low spermatogenic activity, it might not lead to infertility. Moreover, significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphate reveals that Ananas Comosus juice does not adversely affect the liver.
Conclusion: Pineapple juice (Ac) treatment leads to reduced libido but not contraception. It may be used to treat fatty liver syndrome. Furthermore, Ac may be an ameliorative remedy for colorectal cancer due to its bromelain content.