Safety evaluation of Bon-santé cleanser® polyherbal in male Wistar rats: Further investigations on androgenic and toxicological profile

Abstract Background The global increase in acceptance and use of herbal remedies in recent times is still accompanied with poor knowledge of their potential adverse effects and the toxicological implications of their use are underestimated. Methods Bon-sante Cleanser ® (BSC), a polyherbal containing Anogeissus leiocarpus , Terminalia ivorensis , Massularia acuminate and Macuna pruriens , is an “energizer and hormone booster”. We assessed the effect of BSC on reproductive function after administration for 60 days in male Wistar rats. Rats (150–300 g) were assigned into four groups of 8/group. Control received distilled water (10 ml/kg) while other groups received BSC 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day p . o . respectively. Animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation and samples collected for analysis. Results BSC (250 mg/kg) elevated (p  F  = 3.18–13.21) testicular reduced glutathione level (50.3%) and catalase (43.7%) but not activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and malondialdehyde level. Further, BSC influenced Mg, Zn, Cu, P, Mn, Ni and Fe levels (p  Conclusion Overall, our data suggest BSC at low doses may increase reproductive hormones regulated by FSH and LH as observed in this study. However, BSC administration should be done with caution as it may induce reproductive toxicity in large doses.