Effects of caffeine extract from kola nut on body weight, hematology, sperm reserve and serum enzyme activities in albino rats

This study investigated the effects of caffeine extract from kola nut on body weight, hematological indices, serum enzyme activities, and testicular morphology and function in male albino rats. Ten rats from a total of 58 rats used for this study were used for the assessment of baseline body weight, hematological indices, serum enzyme, and sperm reserve values. Later, three groups of 12 rats (groups A, B, and C) received 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg body weight dose levels of caffeine extract daily, respectively, via the intraperitoneal route for 30 days. The group D rats (n=12) served as the control and received no caffeine extract treatment. Administration of caffeine extract from kola nut in rats led to significant (P<0.05) reduction in mean body weight, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and hemoglobin concentration. Mean total leukocyte count did not differ significantly (P>0.05) in the three treatment groups relative to the control. Increasing the dose levels of the caffeine extract (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg body weight) significantly (P<0.05) elevated the mean aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase values. Exposing rats to graded dose levels of caffeine extract led to a significant (P<0.05) reduction in both gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves. Liver sections of rats that received 30 mg/kg body weight of caffeine extract revealed enlarged portal ducts with cellular proliferation around the portal duct. The results of this study have not only shown the adverse effects of caffeine extract from kola nut in rats but have also provided additional knowledge and information to the existing pathophysiological implication of caffeine intake.