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Enzymatic Studies with Reference to Antifertility Potential of Piper betle Linn. Leaf Stalk Extract in Male Albino Rats
... Hence, sperm metabolic processes are disrupted. (Naik & Changamma, 2015). ...
Background: Currently, there are still very limited male contraceptive options. The ideal male contraceptive is still needed and ideally has the characteristics of having sufficient effectiveness, fully reversible and safe for long-term use. Several studies have been conducted to explore Piper betle as a contraceptive. Objectives: This study aims to examine the effect of 96% ethanol extract of sirih leaf (Piper betle L.) in reducing rat spermatogenesis quality, which includes the number, concentration, motility and morphology of male rat sperm. Material and Methods: This study used a posttest design with 28 white male rats. The rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of 7 rats. Group I was a control group. The test groups were group II, III, IV, and V, and each received an ethanolic extract of Piper betle leaves with various dosages of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight (BW), respectively, for 30 days. On day 31, all mice were sacrificed and analyzed for sperm count and concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology. Results: The administration of 96% Piper betle leaves ethanol extract (PBEE) decreased the number and concentration of rats sperm, decreased progressive sperm motility and reduced the proportion of normal morphological rat sperm. PBEE at 800 mg/kg BW dose showed the greatest decreasing effect among all doses (p = 0.01). Conclusions: PBEE has contraceptive ability with a mechanism to reduce sperm count and concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology.
... However, scientific study of this plant in relation with the potentiality as effective antifertility agent is still fragmentary [4]. The present study was therefore carried out to evaluate the claimed antifertility effect of Piper betle (Petiole) using different aspects of reproductive physiology [5]. ...
Piper betle (Petiole) is used of herbal methods for fertility regulation is widely accepted alternative for the synthetic drugs containing chemical having side effects. Piper betle (Petiole) is the plant having several medical properties but no reports were available on the antifertility activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifertility activity of extracts of Piper betle (Petiole) on female wistar rats at the doses 500 mg/kg b.wt./day for 30 days. Different parameters were studied in female wistar rats including effect of Reproductive outcome, Anti-implantation, Abortifacient and Estrogenic & Anti-estrogenic activity, were observed. Piper betle shown positive test for Alkaloids, Steroid, Flavonoids, Terpene, Carbohydrates and Tannin. The extract has anti-fertility effect the control rats showed good number of litters and treatment of animal with different extracts resulted a significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Antifertility activity 51% and 37.2% was exhibited by Alcoholic extracts of Piper betle (Petiole) APB and Aqueous extracts of Piper betle (Petiole) WPB respectively. After 21 days of the extracts free period, the antifertility effect of the extracts was reversed. The extract treatment with APB, an increase in the percentage of resorption index indicates the failure in development of embryo. The mean percentage of anti-implantation and abortifacient were found to be highest for APB-38.45%, WPB 13.62, and APB-28.96%, WPB-12.75% respectively. The decrement in implantation caused by the extracts may be due to estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity. However, along with standard APB exhibiting more potent estrogenic and less potent anti-estrogenic when compared with standard. Female antifertility agents should include acceptability, safety and efficacy during and after the treatment. The above results revealed the potential, reversible female antifertility effect of alcoholic extract Piper betle (Petiole).
The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts of neem (Azadirachta Indica) leaves (which have been documented for its antifertility effect on experimental animals) on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the ovaries of adult female wistar rats. Twenty four adult female wistar rats weighing 200 ± 10 g were divided into three groups A, B and C of eight animals each. Groups A and B were given 3 and 6 mg/kg body weight of extract respectively and the control group was given water orally for 21 days, at the end of which the animals were sacrificed and their ovaries assayed spectrophotometrically for the activities of G-6PDH and LDH. There was significant (p = 0.046) decrease in G-6-PDH and significant (p = 0.047) increase in LDH enzyme activities in the administered groups. The results indicate that extracts of neem which is widely consumed for a variety of ailments alters carbohydrate metabolism in the ovarian tissue.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of lyophilized A. indica leaf extract (125, 250
and 375 mg in suspension of 1 mL Propylene Glycol, respectively / kg body weight) on androgen-dependent
biochemical parameters such as cholesterol and glycogen in the testis, total protein, total free sugar, enzymes like acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the testis and epididymis of both control and treated groups. Results indicated no significant difference in
their body weight. However, testis and epididymis showed a significant decrease in their weights.
The biochemical analysis showed a general decrease in the total protein content and the activity of
ACP and, an increase in the total free sugar, glycogen, cholesterol contents and the activities of ALP
and LDH in the dose-dependent treated rats. Since it is known that the accumulation of cholesterol
and glycogen in the testis and epididymis are indicators of androgen deprivation. In this study such
effects may have resulted from the deficiency in the level of circulating androgen, probably due to
androgen deficiency resulting to the anti-androgenic property of the carbohydrate-rich nature of
lyophilized A. indica leaf extract.
Present study was undertaken to evaluate the contraceptive efficacy of 70% methanolic extract of Strychnos potatorum seeds. The aqueous solution of extract (100 mg/rat/day) was administered orally to male rats of proven fertility for 60 days. Sperm motility, sperm density, serum testosterone level, biochemical analysis and testicular cell population dynamics were carried out to assess the contraceptive effect of S. potatorum. The treatment did not bring any body weight loss, whereas, the weights of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate were decreased significantly (P<0.01). Reduced sperm count and motility resulted in suppression of fertility by 91.81%. Significant reduction was noticed in protein and sialic acid contents in reproductive organs. Number of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells were decreased. The population of preleptotene, pachytene and secondary spermatocytes were decreased by 55.72%, 63.40% and 49.81%, respectively. The seminiferous tubular diameter and Leydig cell nuclear area were reduced significantly (P<0.01) as compared to the controls. Strychnos potatorum seed possesses suppressive effects on male fertility and could be useful in development of male contraceptive agent. However, further studies are needed.
This two-generation study evaluated the effects of depleted uranium (DU) on reproduction in rats. Across two generations, Wistar rats (30/sex/group) were maintained on feed containing DU at dose levels of 0 (control group), 4 (DU₄ group), or 40 (DU₄₀ group) mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ for 4 months prior to mating. After 4 months of exposure, the pregnancy rate, normal labour rate, and survival rate of offspring produced by F₁ rats were all significantly decreased as compared to the control group, and especially in the DU₄₀ group, these parameters fell by half to two-thirds, while no adverse effects were evident in F₀ rats. The uranium content in the testes and ovaries of F₁ rats in the DU₄ and DU₄₀ groups was significantly higher than that found in F₀ rats. The levels of sex hormone in the serum were disorder in both generations. The enzymes related to spermiogenesis were also significantly different between generations, and the damage was more severe in F₁ rats. In conclusion, the reproductive effects in F₀ rats were slight after chronic oral exposure to DU, while the effects were obvious in F₁ rats.
There is little data concerning the ability of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (EL) to reverse the inhibitory effects of estrogen on testosterone production and spermatogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of EL on testicular histology and sperm count in estrogen-treated male rats.
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into four groups of six rats each. Group A (control) was given solvent in the same manner as the treated groups were given EL. Group B was treated with EL (8 mg/kg body weight) orally. Group C was treated with estradiol (E(2)) (intramuscular dose of 500 microg/kg body weight), and group D received a combined treatment of oral EL and intramuscular E(2). After fourteen consecutive days of treatment, rats from all groups were sacrificed and subjected to spermatogenic and epididymal sperm cell counts.
The spermatogenic cell count in the E(2)-treated group was significantly decreased as compared to the control (p < 0.05) and EL+E(2)-treated groups (p < 0.05). A similar finding was found for the epididymal sperm count; the E(2)-treated group had a significant decrease in the count compared to the control (p < 0.05) and EL+E(2)-treated groups (p < 0.05). Rats that were treated with EL alone exhibited significantly higher sperm counts and sperm motility when compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
EL extract acts as a potential agent for reversing the effects of estrogen by increasing spermatogenesis and sperm counts in rats after fourteen consecutive days of treatment.
The effects of administration of yohimbine, an aphrodisiac on some functional parameters of rat liver and kidney were investigated. White male albino rats weighing between 200-250g were grouped into two such that one group was orally administered with 14mg/kg body weight on daily basis for 15days while the control received an appropriate volume of sterile distilled water on daily basis for the same period. Bilirubin concentration in the test showed a significant decrease (P<0.01) when compared with the control, with an interruption of a significant increase only on day 5 of administration (P<0.01). Sodium ion concentration showed significant increase only on the first and the last days when compared with the control (P<0.01). The serum albumin content and K+ displayed significant increase throughout the experimental period (P<0.01) while serum content of urea and creatinine decreased significantly throughout the period of administration (P<0.01). The results suggest that yohimbine administration has adverse affect on the functional capacities of the liver and the kidney.
Recent studies have shown that hyperglycemia is a principal cause of cellular damage in patients with diabetes mellitus. A major consequence of hyperglycemia is increased oxidative stress. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) plays an essential role in the regulation of oxidative stress by primarily regulating NADPH, the main intracellular reductant. In this paper we show that increased glucose (10-25 mm) caused inhibition of G6PD resulting in decreased NADPH levels in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Inhibition was seen within 15 min. High glucose-induced inhibition of G6PD predisposed cells to cell death. High glucose via increased activity of adenylate cyclase also stimulated an increase in cAMP levels in BAEC. Agents that increased cAMP caused a decrease in G6PD activity. Inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A ameliorated the high glucose-induced inhibition of G6PD. Finally, high glucose stimulated phosphorylation of G6PD. These results suggest that, in BAEC, high glucose stimulated increased cAMP, which led to increased protein kinase A activity, phosphorylation of G6PD, and inhibition of G6PD activity. We conclude that these changes in G6PD activity play an important role in high glucose-induced cell damage/death.
The toxic effects of an aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius were studied in 20 male white rats over a period of 18 days. The rats were divided into four groups of five rats per group. Those in Group A served as controls while the rats in Groups B, C and D were dosed per os with 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 1 600 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical analysis and specimens of the liver, kidney and testes were taken for histopathological studies. The study showed that the extract of A. precatorius caused decreased levels of packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin. The extract also resulted in increased levels of total serum protein, albumin, alanine amino transaminase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. Histologically, testicular degeneration characterized by decreased numbers of lining cells of the epithelium as well as reduction in sperm cells with presence of scattered Sertoli cells were noted. The study thus showed that aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius is toxic and caution should be exercised in its use for medicinal purpose.
Dicofol is an organochlorine acaricide widely used in local market. The present study was conducted to evaluate how far dicofol chronic toxicity affects male fertility indices, as well as for assessment of reproductive toxicity which may result from this acaricide by estimating the sexual and reproductive hormones. Moreover, to investigate the effect on testicular function and epididymal oxidative parameters. In this investigation, two equal groups of male albino rats were orally administered dicofol, at 4.19 and 16.75 mg/kg body weight/day through drinking water (30 and 120 part per million, respectively) for consecutive 90 weeks. Dosages represent 1/80 and 1/20 LD 50 of dicofol, respectively. The third group was kept as control group. At the end of each experimental period (16, 28 and 90 weeks), blood samples were taken for estimation of sexual, reproductive and thyroid hormones. Also, animals were dissected and the reproductive organs (epididymus and testes) were taken to measure fertility indices, oxidative parameters and testicular biomarkers. The main results of this study were: dicofol at both doses (lower and higher) decreased testes and epididymus weights, this effects were dose-related and associated with decline in epididymus sperm count, percent of sperm motility, viability and maturity and increased abnormal sperm morphology. Moreover, decline in serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels concomitant with an elevation in estradiol and progesterone levels were observed. Additionally, Dicofol-treated rats demonstrated de-generation and atrophy of some seminiferous tubules associated with depression in luminal spermatozoal concentration. Meanwhile, dicofol increased oxidative stress by an elevation lipid peroxidation index associated with depletion in glutathione level. Concerning the testicular biomarkers, dicofol increased total protein level and decreased the activities of the enzymes responsible of spermatogenesis, i.e. lactate dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities. Conclusion: the results reinforce the idea that, dicofol, as o'ch pesticide, possesses estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties as well as oxidative stress.
Carbosulfan a N-methyl insecticide was administered orally with an effective dose of 48 mg/kg body weight per day to mice for 5, 10 20 and 30 days to examine the temporal effects. Mice were sacrificed on 31st day. Treatment with Carbosulfan for 20 and 30 days caused significant decrease in protein, glycogen and sialic acid where as cholesterol increased significantly in testis. The activities of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH), acid phosphatase (ACP), were decreased significantly, whereas lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities were increased significantly in testis, 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) decreased significantly in the mice treated with Carbosulfan for 20 and 30 days. These biochemical changes seem to be the genotoxic action leading to metabolic or hormonal imbalance in any of the stage in the hypothalamo-hypophysial-testicular axis in mice.
The antifertility action of 5-Thio-D-glucose on male is associated with a marked reduction in the ability of spermatozoa through oxidize glucose. In the present study adult male albino rats (Wistar strain) were administered with (sc) 5-thio-D-glucose for a period of 7 days and the biochemical changes in testes were analyzed. The changes in gravimetric analysis indicated the alterations in testicular biochemical constituents. The study on tissue proximate analysis showed the impaired carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The decreased carbohydrates suggest the orientation towards glycogenesis, glycolysis and increased gluconeogenesis utility resulting in decreased glycogen and glucose content. Since the germ cells depend more on carbohydrate reserves, the decreased spermatids and spermatozoal population might be due to observed reduction in carbohydrate reserves. The decreased levels of G-6-PDH (Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase) suggest the reduced operation of HMP (hexose mono phosphate) pathway leads to deranged lipogenesis and nucleic acid synthesis. Depleted levels of NAD + -GDH (glutamate dehydrogenase) suggest the decreased amino acid oxidation. The differential responses of SDH (succinate dehydrogenase) and MDH (malate dehydrogenase) may result in the activation and inactivation of certain segments of citric acid cycle through different cofactors like FAD + and NAD +. Thus 5-thio-D-glucose induces the HMP pathway and certain enzymes of citric acid cycle which in turn shows the effect on oxidative metabolism leads to impaired steroidogenesis.
The 96-h LC50 values (with the 95% confidence limits in parentheses) of fenitrothion for the freshwater fish, Mystus cavasius and three size groups of Labeo rohita (3 to 4·4 cm, 4·5 to 5·9 cm and 6 to 8 cm in length) were respectively 3·3 (3 to 3·5), 2·8 (2·6 to 3), 4·1 (4 to 4·2) and 4·6 (4·5 to 4·7) ppm. There was a decrease in the toxicity of the compound with increase in size, and a significant negative correlation between increasing concentrations of fenitrothion and the oxygen uptake of L. rohita. Although it is less toxic to mammals than the closely related methyl parathion, fenitrothion seems to be more toxic to fish.
A study was undertaken to estimate the activities of the key enzymes of glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in purified rat spermatocytes and spermatids, which have been shown to die in glucose-containing medium and require lactate/pyruvate for maintaining normal ATP concentrations. The aim was to elucidate the changes in the glycolytic and oxidative potential of germ cells undergoing meiosis. Pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids from adult rat testis were purified to approximately 90% purity by trypsin digestion followed by a combination of centrifugal elutriation and Percoll density gradient centrifugation. After the purity and viability of these cells had been established, their contents of hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and LDH-X of glycolysis, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase of the pentose phosphate pathway and citrate synthase, aconitase, malate dehydrogenase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase of the TCA cycle were estimated. These enzymes were also estimated in epididymal spermatozoa for comparison with the testicular germ cells. The results indicate greater activity of glycolytic and pentose phosphate pathway enzymes in spermatocytes than in spermatids, which exhibited greater activity of TCA cycle enzymes than the former. The difference in activity was statistically significant for most of the enzymes studied. In contrast, spermatozoa exhibited markedly greater activity of glycolytic enzymes and significantly lower activity of pentose phosphate pathway and TCA cycle enzymes than did the testicular germ cells. We conclude that the unusual dependence of spermatids exclusively on lactate may be due to their lower glycolytic potential, whereas spermatocytes with comparatively greater glycolytic activity have an intermediate dependence on lactate and are therefore able to utilise lactate, pyruvate, or both, while retaining a better ability to utilise glucose. Spermatozoa with the greatest glycolytic potential and the lowest TCA cycle activity appear to be 'programmed' to utilise exclusively glucose/fructose for energy.
To investigate the effects of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) on activities of testicle enzymes as biological markers in rats.
Fifty male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10). One group was left untreated and used as a solvent control (administered orally by corn oil), while the other 4 groups were treated with 3, 4-DCA. Corn oil was used as a solvent, and 3,4-DCA was diluted into tested concentrations (39, 81, 170, and 357 mg/kg). All the groups orally administered 3,4-DCA or corn oil, once a day for 4 weeks. The testicle tissue was homogenized in a 0.1 mol/L potassium phosphate buffer (0.1 mol/L, pH 7.2). The crude homogenate was centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 5 min at 4 degrees C. The supernatant obtained was used as an enzyme extract for determination of the enzyme activities.
Compared with the control, the activities of ALP, ACP, and SDH were increased significantly at a lower level of 3,4-DCA, and decreased at a higher level of 3, 4-DCA, whreas the activities of LDH, LDH-X, and G6PDH were inhibited significantly with the increased 3,4-DCA concentration. Organ coefficient "organ weight/total body weight x 100" of testis, liver, and spleen increased significantly with the increased 3,4-DCA concentration. These results suggest that 3,4-DCA toxicity to the male reproductive system was associated with the activities of testicular enzymes which are the sensitive biochemical endpoints reflecting 3,4-DCA toxicity to the male reproductive system.
3,4-DCA has toxicity to the reproductive system in male rats.
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antifertility potential of Curcuma longa L. in the male laboratory mouse.
Mice of the Parkes (P) strain were orally administered aqueous rhizome extract of C. longa (600 mg/kg body weight per day for 56 and 84 days), and effect of the treatment on various male reproductive endpoints and fertility was evaluated. Recovery studies were also performed.
Histologically, testes in mice treated with the plant extract showed nonuniform degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules as both affected and normal tubules were observed in the same section; the affected tubules showed loosening of germinal epithelium, intraepithelial vacuolation and mixing of spermatids of different stages of spermatogenesis. Marked reductions in diameter of seminiferous tubules, height of germinal epithelium and number of germ cells in Stage VII tubules were also noted in testes of extract-treated mice. Epididymis and seminal vesicle also showed histological alterations. Furthermore, the treatment had adverse effects on motility, viability, morphology and number of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis, levels of sialic acid in the epididymis and fructose in the seminal vesicle, serum level of testosterone and on fertility and litter size. By 56 days of treatment withdrawal, however, the above parameters recovered to control levels.
The results show that in P mice C. longa treatment causes reversible suppression of spermatogenesis and fertility, thereby suggesting the potential of this plant in the regulation of male fertility.
To study the effects of Aegle marmelos on the testicular reproductive system, a 50% ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos leaves (AMLEt) was fed orally to male albino rats at the dose levels of 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt./day for 60 days. Recovery was assessed for an additional 120 days. Oral administration of AMLEt did not cause body weight loss. The motility and sperm concentration were significantly reduced along with complete inhibition of fertility at a dose of 300 mg/kg. The level of serum testosterone also declined and spermatogenesis was impaired. The number of normal tubules and the height of epithelial cells of the caput and cauda were reduced significantly. The cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells and mature Leydig cells was reduced along with a dose dependent reduction of preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes. Thus the antifertility effects of Aegle marmelos seemed to be mediated by disturbances in structure and function in testicular somatic cells including Leydig and Sertoli cells resulting in an alteration in physio-morphological events of spermatogenesis. However, complete recovery was observed after a 120 day withdrawal.
Chronic administration (sc) of the extract of the stalk of P. betle at 30 mg/kg body weight daily for 21 days produced significant decrease in oestrogen and androgen dependent target organ weights along with increase in cholesterol in adrenal, ovary and testis. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in serum, liver and kidney did not exhibit any toxic effect. There was marked change in morphology of testis and ovary. Vaginal smear showed prolonged dioestrus in treated female. The treated male showed decreased number and motility of sperm. Both male and female remained infertile after treatment suggesting antifertility activity of the extract on both sexes of albino rats.
Spermatozoa are highly specialized cells, and they offer advantages for studying several basic aspects of metabolic control such as the role of adenosine triphosphate-(ATP)-homeostasis for cell function, the mechanisms of fatigue and metabolic depression, the metabolic channelling through the cytoplasm and the organization and regulation of glycolytic enzymes. Spermatozoa of four species with different reproductive modes are introduced and the first results are presented: Spermatozoa of the marine worm Arenicola marina are well adapted to external fertilization in sea water with fluctuating oxygen tension: they are motile for several hours in oxygen-free sea water, even when the ATP level is dramatically reduced. Anaerobic ATP production occurs by alanine, acetate and propionate fermentation probably by the same pathways known from somatic cells of this species. Under aerobic conditions the phosphagen system might function like a shuttle for energy-rich phosphate from mitochondria to the dynein-ATPases. Storage of turkey and carp spermatozoa for several hours without exogenous substrates and oxygen results in the degradation of phosphocreatine and ATP to inorganic phosphate and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), respectively. Despite low energy charges, stored spermatozoa of both species are capable of progressive movements. In carp spermatozoa fatigue of motility is not accompanied by the dramatic acidosis one discusses as an important effect in muscle fatigue. Energy metabolism of boar spermatozoa is typically based on glycolysis consuming extracellular carbohydrates and producing lactate and protons. The sperm seem to tolerate low intracellular pH (< 6.5). The lack of a phosphagen system (no energy shuttle from mitochondria to the distal dynein-ATPases) is probably compensated by a high glycolytic ATP-production in the mitochondria-free piece of the flagellum.
Hypoglycemic activity was detected in dichloromethane:methanol extract (1:1) of leaves and twigs of Catharanthus roseus (family Apocynaceae), a traditionally used medicinal plant, using streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat model. Extract at dose 500 mg/kg given orally for 7 and 15 days showed 48.6 and 57.6% hypoglycemic activity, respectively. Prior treatment at the same dose for 30 days provided complete protection against STZ challenge (75 mg/kg/i.p.x1). Enzymic activities of glycogen synthase, glucose 6-phosphate-dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase were decreased in liver of diabetic animals in comparison to normal and were significantly improved after treatment with extract at dose 500 mg/kg p.o. for 7 days. Results indicate increased metabolization of glucose in treated rats. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation measured as 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) indicative of oxidative stress in diabetic rats were also normalized by treatment with the extract.
Oral administration of 70% methanolic extract of T. cordifolia stem to male rats at the dose level of 100 mg/rat/day for 60 days did not cause body weight loss but decreased the weight of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate in a significant manner. Sperm motility as well as sperm density were reduced significantly which resulted in reduction of male fertility by 100%. The stem extract brought about an interference with spermatogenesis. The round spermatids were decreased by 73.12%. However, the population of preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes were decreased by 47.60% and 52.85% respectively, followed by secondary spermatocytes (48.10%). Leydig cell nuclear area and mature Leydig cell numbers were significantly reduced when compared with controls. Serum testosterone levels showed significant reduction after Tinospora extract feeding. Seminiferous tubule diameter, Leydig cell nuclear area as well as cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells were reduced significantly when compared to controls. Biochemical parameters i.e. protein, sialic acid, glycogen contents of testes decreased significantly. Seminal vesicular fructose also depleted whereas, testicular cholesterol was elevated significantly followed by a reduction in testosterone levels. These results suggested antifertility effects of the stem extract of T. cordifolia in male rats.
The effects of administration of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem on some testicular function indices of male rats (Rattus norvegicus) and their recovery potentials for 10 days were investigated.
Rats were grouped into four: A, B, C and D where A (the control) received orally 1 ml of distilled water (the vehicle), B, C and D (the test groups) received orally on daily basis graded doses of 18, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight of the plant extract, respectively, for 28 days.
Compared with the control, extract administration for 28 days at all the doses resulted in significant increase (P<0.05) in percentage testes-body weight ratio, testicular cholesterol, sialic acid, glycogen, acid phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities while there was significant decrease (P<0.05) in the activities of testicular alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase and concentrations of protein. Recoveries were made by the animals on some of the testicular function indices mainly at 18 mg/kg body weight.
The alterations brought about by the aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis stem are indications of adverse effects on the male rat testicular function and this may adversely affect the functional capacities of the testes. The recovery made at the dose of 18 mg/kg body weight as used in folklore medicine suggests that it does not exhibit permanent toxicity at this dose.
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