Effects of leaf extract of Stephania hernandifolia on testicular gametogenesis and androgenesis in albino rats: a dose-dependent response study

An extract of Stephania hernandifolia, an ethnomedicinal plant, inhibits herpes simplex virus 1 entry

Stephania hernandifolia (Nimukho), an ethnomedicinal herb from rural Bengal, has been used traditionally for the management of nerve, skin, urinary, and digestive ailments. Here, we attempted to confirm the antiviral potential of aqueous, methanol, and chloroform extracts of S. hernandifolia against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the causative agent of orolabial herpes in humans, and decipher its underlying mechanism of action. The bioactive extract was standardized and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, while cytotoxicity and antiviral activity were evaluated by MTT and plaque reduction assay, respectively. Two HSV strains, HSV-1F and the clinical isolate VU-09, were inhibited by the chloroform extract (CE) with a median effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 4.32 and 4.50 µg/ml respectively, with a selectivity index (SI) of 11. Time-of-addition assays showed that pre-treatment of virus-infected cells with the CE and its removal before infection reduced the number of plaques without lasting toxicity to the cell, indicating that the CE affected the early stage in the viral life cycle. The number of plaques was also reduced by direct inactivation of virions and by the addition of CE for a short time following attachment of virions. These results together suggest that modification of either the virion surface or the cell surface by the CE inhibits virus entry into the host cell.

Male contraceptive efficacy of poly herbal formulation, contracept-TM, composed of aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula fruit and Musa balbisiana seed in rat

CONTEXT

Terminalia chebula Retz (Combretaceae) and Musa balbisiana Colla (Musaceae) have a traditional reputation as a male contraceptive.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the hypo-testicular activity of aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula (fruit) and Musa balbisiana (seed) separately, and in composite manner at the ratio of 1:1 named as 'Contracept-TM' compared to cyproterone acetate (CPA), for developing a polyherbal contraceptive.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The separate extract of above said plants or 'Contracept-TM' at the dose of 40 mg/100 g body weight of rat/day or CPA at 2 mg/100 g body weight of rat/day was administered for 28 days. Spermiological, androgenic and oxidative stress sensors, LD50 and ED50/100 g body weight values were measured.

RESULTS

Treatment of individual, 'Contracept-TM' or CPA resulted significant decrease in the count of spermatogonia A (36.36-49.09%), pre-leptotene spermatocyte (19.11-55.30%), mid-pachytene spermatocyte (28.65-47.28%) and step 7 spermatid (29.65-51.59%). Activities of testicular Δ5, 3β (21.25-48.02%),17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (29.75-55.08%), catalase (19.06-43.29%) and peroxidase (30.76-62.82%), levels of testosterone (28.15-63.44%), testicular cholesterol (19.61-49.33%), conjugated diene (29.69-84.99%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (41.25-86.73%) were elevated compare to the control. The ED50 and LD50 values were 40 mg and 5.8 g (T. chebula), 48 mg and 6.3 g (M. bulbisiana), 40 mg and 6.0 g ('Contracept-TM'), respectively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The said spermiological and androgenic sensors' levels were decreased significantly by 'Contracept-TM' than its constitutional individual plant extract and it may be comparable to standard anti-testicular drug like CPA. So, it may be concluded that above polyherbal formulation is potent for inducing hypo-testicular activity.

Biphasic effect of Syzygium aromaticum flower bud on reproductive physiology of male mice

The flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) have been used for the treatment of male sexual disorders in indigenous medicines of Indian subcontinent. Therefore to evaluate the efficacy of Syzygium aromaticum on the male reproductive health, chronic oral exposure of aqueous extract of flower buds of Syzygium in three doses (15 mg, 30 mg and 60 mg kg^-1 BW) were studied for a single spermatogenic cycle (35 days) in Parkes (P) strain mice. Lower dose (15 mg) of Syzygium aromaticum flower buds increased serum testosterone level and testicular hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activities and improved sperm motility, sperm morphology, secretory activity of epididymis and seminal vesicle, and number of litters per female. On the other hand, higher doses (30 and 60 mg) of the treatment adversely affected above parameters. Further, higher doses of the extract also had adverse effects on daily sperm production, 1C cell population and on histology of testis. In conclusion, Syzygium aromaticum flower buds extract exhibits biphasic effect on reproductive physiology of male mice. Lower dose of Syzygium aromaticum flower bud extract is androgenic in nature and may have a viable future as an indigenous sexual rejuvenator, while higher doses adversely affected functional physiology of reproductive organs.

Review on Research of Suppression Male Fertility and Male Contraceptive Drug Development by Natural Products

Male contraceptive development in the present scenario is most viable aspect of research due to uncontrolled population growth in the world. In this respect investigators are busy to find out a safe male contraceptive drug. Researchers have started their finding for a suitable drug from natural sources because these are safe and easily acceptable for common man, most of natural sources are plants and their products. In this review 137 plants and their effects on reproduction and reproductive physiology are summarized. Some of them have intense effect on male reproductive system and do not produce any side effects. Reproductive toxicological studies are also important aspects of these kinds of researches, so it is important that drugs are safe and widely acceptable. An ideal male contraceptive can influence semen, testes, hormone level, accessory reproductive organs and general physiology of animals and produced some alterations. Many plants in this review are showing antifertility as well as antispermatogenic effects, so these may be used for further study for contraceptives development but it is important to find out the mechanism of reaction and further laboratory and clinical research on some plants are needed for final male contraceptive drug development. In conclusion this review will help for finding suitable plant products for male contraceptive clinical and laboratory studies.

Exposure to leachate from municipal battery recycling site: implication as key inhibitor of steroidogenic enzymes and risk factor of prostate damage in rats

Few or no studies have measured the effect of short- and long-term exposure to industrial leachate. Mature male Wistar strain albino rats (175-220 g) underwent sub-chronic exposure to leachate from the Elewi Odo municipal battery recycling site (EOMABRL) via oral administration for a period of 60 days at different doses (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) per kilogram of body weight to evaluate the toxic effects of the leachate on male reproductive function using steroidogenic enzymes and biomarkers of prostate damage. Control groups were treated equally but were given distilled water instead of the leachate. After the treatment periods, results showed that the treatment induced systemic toxicity at the doses tested by causing a significant (p<0.05) loss in absolute body weight and decline in growth rate. There was a marked significant decrease (p<0.05) in testicular activities of Δ(5)-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Conversely, the activity of prostatic acid phosphatase, a key marker enzyme for prostrate damage was significantly (p<0.05) elevated in the treated rats. Similarly, the administration of EOMABRL significantly (p<0.05) exacerbated the activity of total acid phosphatase with concomitant increase in the activity of prostatic alkaline phosphatase. These findings conclude that exposure to leachate from a battery recycling site induces sub-chronic testicular toxicity by inhibiting key steroidogenic enzymes and activating key markers linked with prostate damage/cancer in rats.

The genus Stephania (Menispermaceae): chemical and pharmacological perspectives

The plants of the genus Stephania (Menispermaceae) are widely distributed, and have long been used in folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as asthma, tuberculosis, dysentery, hyperglycemia, malaria, cancer and fever. Over 150 alkaloids together with flavonoids, lignans, steroids, terpenoids and coumarins have been identified in the genus, and many of these have been evaluated for biological activity. This review presents comprehensive information on the chemistry and pharmacology of the genus together with the traditional uses of many of its plants. In addition, this review discusses the structure-activity relationship of different compounds as well as recent developments and the scope for future research in this aspect.

Comparative study on the spermicidal activity of organic solvent fractions from hydroethanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Stephania hernandifolia in human and rat sperm

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to determine the most effective fraction of the hydroethanolic (water:ethanol, 1:1) extracts of Stephania hernandifolia leaves and Achyranthes aspera roots (in a composite manner at a ratio of 1:3, respectively) that will provide maximum spermicidal activity in human and rat spermatozoa out of five different ratios (1:1, 1:3, 1:7, 3:1 and 7:1) that have been studied in pilot experiments.

STUDY DESIGN

n-Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the hydroethanolic (1:1) extracts of S. hernandifolia and A. aspera were mixed at 1:3. Different concentrations were tested for sperm immobilization, sperm viability, acrosome status, 5'-nucleotidase activity and nuclear chromatin decondensation using human and rat spermatozoa for the selection of the most effective concentration.

RESULTS

Out of three fractions of the hydroethanolic (1:1) extracts of the said plants, the n-hexane fraction was most effective, and the chloroform fraction exhibited minimum activity for this purpose. At a concentration of 0.1 g/mL hexane fraction, all sperm of the human sample were immobilized immediately (within 20 s). In case of the rat sample, all epididymal spermatozoa were immobilized immediately (within 20 s) by treatment with hexane fraction at a concentration of 0.004 g/mL. All human sperm were found to be nonviable within 20 min. The activity of acrosome enzymes was reduced, and significant release of 5'-nucleotidase (a plasma membrane marker) into the surrounding medium was noted after treatment with 0.1 g/mL hexane fraction, indicating that the hexane fraction affected the cytoarchitecture of the sperm plasma membrane. The maximum number of human sperm failed to decondense when treated with 0.1 g/mL hexane fraction, and sperm motility was also irreversible. The hexane fraction was tested in rats as vaginal contraceptive and showed 100% efficacy, indicating its potential for development as vaginal contraceptive.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that, among the different fractions, the hexane fraction of the hydroethanolic extracts of the two plants produced the most effective spermicidal activity and can be considered as vaginal contraceptive.

Safety assessment of Syzygium aromaticum flower bud (clove) extract with respect to testicular function in mice

The flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (clove), a common food flavor, have been used as indigenous medicine for the treatment of male sexual disorders in Asian countries. However, the possible mechanism(s) by which it acts at testicular level remain obscure. Therefore, to investigate its effect on testicular function, chronic oral exposure of hexane extract of flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum in three doses (15 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg/kg BW) were evaluated for a single spermatogenic cycle (35 days) in Parkes (P) strain mice. The treatment did not induce systemic toxicity at the doses tested. Lower dose (15 mg) of the extract increased the activities of Delta(5) 3 beta-HSD and 17 beta-HSD, and serum level of testosterone. The higher doses (30 and 60 mg) of extract inhibited these parameters and induced non-uniform degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules associated with decrease in daily sperm production and depletion of 1C (round and elongated spermatids) population. Taken together these results suggest biphasic action of hexane extract of Syzygium aromaticum flower bud on testicular function, thereby advocating a cautious use of the flower bud as an aphrodisiac in indigenous systems of medicine in Asian countries.

Reproductive effects of ethnomedicinal formulation of tape-vine leaves in female rats

Documented ethno-contraceptive use of Tape-vine or Stephania japonica (THUNB.) MIERS., Syn. Stephania hernandifolia (WILLD.) WALP. leaves is evaluated with regards to post-coital pregnancy interceptive activity of its aqueous extract (AE) and an ethnomedicinal formulation (EF) in Wistar rats. EF at 500 and 250 mg/kg doses induced 66.7% and 33.3% post-coital pregnancy interception respectively and the higher dose exhibited significant reduction in number of litters born and also anti-implantation property. In contrast, none of the dose levels of AE interfered in pregnancy but significant anti-implantation property was observed at doses of 2 and 1 g/kg, even as the higher dose produced significant reduction in number of litters born as well. EF at 500 mg/kg also exhibited significant uterotrophic activity and histological changes in uterus. Pair-wise comparison of sex hormone-levels exhibited significant increment in serum estradiol, LH and FSH but decrease in progesterone levels. Assessed blood lipid-carbohydrate profile exhibited substantial decrease in glucose, cholesterol, VLDL and triglyceride contents and significant increase in HDL. It is concluded that EF probably acts as better post-coital pregnancy interceptive agent through restriction of implantation by alteration of gonadal hormone levels and decline in blood-glucose levels that possibly disrupts oxidative energy metabolism in uterus during implantation. High surge in LH and FSH suggests negligible interference in ovulatory mechanism. This preparation also seems to be free of cardiovascular risk factors. HPTLC and HPLC analysis of both EF and AE exhibited marked chemical differences.

Testicular gametogenic and steroidogenic activities in cyclophosphamide treated rat: a correlative study with testicular oxidative stress

The present work examined the changes in testicular activities in relation to testicular oxidative stress in cyclophosphamide as well as human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) co-treated cyclophosphamide treated Wistar strain rats. Testicular activities were evaluated by the quantification of spermatogenesis and by the measurement of steroidogenic key enzyme activities along with plasma levels of testosterone. Testicular oxidative stress in relation to cyclophosphamide treatment was monitored by the study of products of free radicals like conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as the activity of testicular antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase and catalase. Cyclophosphamide treatment at the dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day for 28 days resulted a significant diminution in the activities of testicular delta 5, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5, 3 beta-HSD), 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) activities, plasma level of testosterone along with significant reduction in the number of germ cells at stage-VII of spermatogenesis. Levels of testicular MDA and conjugated dienes both were elevated whereas testicular peroxidase and catalase activities both were inhibited significantly in cyclophosphamide treated rats in comparison to control. After hCG co-administration at the dose of 5 I.U./kg body weight/day for 28 days in cyclophosphamide treated rats resulted a significant protection in the activities of testicular peroxidase and catalase along with significant decrease in the levels of MDA and conjugated dienes to the control level. Moreover, the testicular steroidogenic key enzyme activities and spermatogenesis along with plasma levels of testosterone were restored to the control level. Therefore, it may be concluded that there is a correlation between testicular steroidogenic activities as well as spermatogenesis and testicular oxidative stress in cyclophosphamide treated rats. Moreover, as restoration of plasma testosterone to the control level is noted in hCG co-treated cyclophosphamide treated rat, therefore, the results suggest that testosterone may be the key regulator for this correlation.