CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Toxins such as drugs, chemicals, endocrine disruptors, biogenetically engineered western diets and life style among other factors are known to affect normal body functions and most especially reproductive health (Izegbu et al., 2005). One of such toxins (Drugs) which posses adverse health hazard despite it`s advantages is Ketoconazole an antifungal drug used in the treatment of fungal infections such as blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis and para coccidioidomycosis (Amir, 2008).
Ketoconazole is packaged pharmaceutically in the form of tablets, Creams and injection and has been reported to inhibit the stimulation of testicular testosterone production by Human Chorionic Gonadotropine in a dose dependent manner (Richard et al., 2005). Steroids such as dihydrotestosterone and estradiol are equally, selectively displaced from serum-binding globulin by ketokonazole (Grosso et al., 2005). The suppression of testicular testosterone synthesis and displacement of oestrogen from sex hormone binding globulin may decrease the androgen/oestrogen ration of the blood and contributes to the development of gynaecomastia that has being reported in some ketoconazole treated patients (Boyden et al., 2005).Administration of ketoconazole alters sperm indices and causes severe histopathological lesion such as depletion of germ cells, degeneration of the seminiferous tubules, marked oxidative damage to testicular lipids and alteration of natural anti oxidants(Amin,2008).
Over the years, there has being increased scientific research to minimize the health hazards potentiated by some toxin and this was done on phytochemical being extracted from plant species (Bankole et al., 2007). In an effort to stem the contraindications of some of these
synthesized drugs, Plant medicine (phyto-medicine) has being used as alternatives in many parts of Africa and the rest of the world (Elujoba et al., 2005).
Effective health cannot be achieved in Africa, unless orthodox medicine is complemented with traditional medicine (Elujoba et al., 2005).At least 80% of Africans depends on plant medicine for their health care (Sofowora, 1993).Fruit and vegetables have being recognized as natural source of various bioactive compounds (Penington and Fisher, 2010). The bioactive property of fruits and vegetables could be attributed to their phyto-constituents such as flavanoids, anthocyanins, vitamins C and E, phenolic compounds, dietary fiber and carotinoids (Gonz, Aguilar, et al., 2008).One of such vegetable plant is Sesame indicum whose taxonomic Order is lamiales, Family is pedialiaceae, Genus is sesamum and Specie is indicum. Sesame seeds exist in brown, black and yellow forms and are called ‟ridi” in Hausa, ‟Ekuku” in Yoruba, ‟Isasa” in Ibo and ‟go-ri-go” in Ebira languages.
Sesame seed has being reported to contain high level of unsaturated fatty acids which are Oleic acid-38.84%, linolenic acid-46.26 % (Nzioku et al., 2009). Trace elements such as Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper and Phosphorous are also reported to be contained in it (Obiajunwa et al., 2005). Sesame seed is also reported to be rich in phyto estrogenic lignans which is an important phytochemical known to man (Thompson et al., 1991).
Sesame seed oil has being used as a healing oil for thousands of years it naturally posses antibacterial property for common skin pathogen such as staphylococcus and streptococcus it also posses anti fungal, antiviral and anti inflammatory effects (Amir, 2008). The entire sesame plant are very valuable and serve as staple food in most ethnic groups in north central and south
western part of Nigeria and this may be attributed to the high level of fecundity among adult males in these regions (Akpan et al .,2006).
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