Antioxidant Properties and Reproductive Health Benefits of Opa eyin Herbal Concoction: In vitro and In vivo Evaluation

Abstract

: There is an increased demand and consumption of aphrodisiac and reproductive-beneficial herbal mixtures in Nigeria. The empirical data to validate the perceived therapeutic properties of herbal concoctions like Opa eyin remains undocumented. Therefore, this study investigated the phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties of Opa eyin, a traditional herbal concoction used in South Western Nigeria. A total of 20 healthy male Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups (n=5). The animals received graded doses of Opa in (0.20, 0.40, and 0.80 ml/kg body weight respectively) for 28 days. The animals were then sacrificed and the antioxidant evaluation of Opa eyin was carried out on the liver, kidney, and testes according to standard protocols. The data generated was subjected to statistical analysis in R statistical programming version 4.3.0. Phytochemical analysis revealed high levels of anthocyanins (109.91 mg/100 g), flavonoids (98.82 mg/100 g), steroids (58.39 mg/100 g), and alkaloids (56.55 mg/100 g), which are associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. The concoction demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) in vitro antioxidant activity through DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power, and nitric oxide scavenging assays, exhibiting a dose-dependent response. In vivo experiments on Wistar rats revealed dose-dependent antioxidant effects in the liver, kidney, and testes. Opa eyin improved the reproductive health of the exposed animals, evidenced by reduced oxidative stress in the testes, suggesting potential benefits for fertility. These findings underscore its therapeutic potential and validate its traditional use, although further studies are needed to elucidate its long-term safety and efficacy.