Effect of graded doses of Momordica charantia seed extract on rat sperm: scanning electron microscope study

Bitter Melon Seed Extract does not Alter Photoperiodic Effects on Reproduction of Male Golden Hamsters

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia, MC) has been used in traditional Korean medicine in treating diabetes. In addition, some reports were emerged, showing the antifertility activities of MC in mammals. We investigated the effects of ethanolic MC extract on the reproductive activity of golden hamsters whose spermatogenetic capacity is controlled by their photoperiods. The animals were divided into 4 groups: long photoperiod (LP) control, short photoperiod (SP) control, and LP animals treated with MC. The animals were orally ingested with low (0.03 g/kg) or high (0.15 g/kg) concentrations of the ethanolic extracts for 8 weeks on the daily basis. The control animals received the vehicle. The animals were then mated with age-matched females, experienced pregnancy. As results, the LP control animals showed active large testes but SP control animals displayed remarkably reduced testes. The animals treated with both concentrations of MC extracts demonstrated large testes, indicating fertile activity as animals in LP. LP control animals had litters as expected, but SP controls had no litters at all. MC extract showed the same results as LP animals in generating offsprings. These results suggest that the MC extract does not change the photoperiodic influence on reproductive activity of male golden hamsters.

The potentiality of medicinal plants as the source of new contraceptive principles in males

Rising human population throughout the world especially in developing and underdeveloped countries has detrimental effects on life supporting system on earth. Traditionally, plants have been used to treat different kinds of ailments. The growing importance of phytochemicals in males has been reported. Contraceptive ability of plants has been reported in several animal models. The reversibility of the anti-fertility effects of plants and its active compounds are of potential clinical relevance in the development of male contraceptive. This review attempts to discuss the latest reports on the potentiality of medicinal plants as the source of new contraceptive principles in males.

Effects of plants and plant products on the testis

For centuries, plants and plant-based products have been used as a valuable and safe natural source of medicines for treating various ailments. The therapeutic potential of most of these plants could be ascribed to their anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antispasmodic, analgesic and various other pharmacological properties. However, several commonly used plants have been reported to adversely affect male reproductive functions in wildlife and humans. The effects observed with most of the plant and plant-based products have been attributed to the antispermatogenic and/or antisteroidogenic properties of one or more active ingredients. This review discusses the detrimental effects of some of the commonly used plants on various target cells in the testis. A deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms of action of these natural compounds could pave the way for developing therapeutic strategies against their toxicity.

Morphological changes induced by Caesalpinia bonducella seed extract on rat sperm: scanning electron microscope study

Morphological changes in the sperm of albino rats observed under scanning electron microscope illustrate the disturbance in the plasma membrane, as well as in the acrosomal membrane upon treatment with graded doses of an alcoholic seed extract of Caesalpinia bonducella. Considerable changes in the shape and size of the sperm head were observed, with the middle region of the sperm head being slightly constricted dorsoventrally. Most sperm appeared morphologically abnormal in the head region showing the distortion at the anterior region and bulging of the acrosomal membrane when compared with the control. The results of this study suggest that such effects might have resulted from general disturbance in proteins and alteration in the cauda epididymal milieu, probably due to an androgen deficiency consequent to the treatment with Caesalpinia bonducella.