Phytomedicine can provide a safe and reversible male contraceptive

Man used various natural materials since ancient times as a source of medicines. 25% of all prescription drugs of modern pharmacopoeia still contain the drugs derived from plants or compounds isolated from plants [1-2]. Literature reveals that plant products have been used for human fertility regulation. Many plants have been screened to find safe and reversible contraceptive agents [3-6]. Therefore, Euphorbia neriifolia, Citrullus colocynthis, Martynia annua and Withania somnifera were screened with the intention of finding an orally active, cheap, reversible and safe fertility regulating agent for men.

50% ethanolic extracts of these plants were administered orally in male wistar rats according to the WHO guidelines. The weights of testis and accessory reproductive organs were recorded. The hematological and biochemical parameters were investigated for side affects. The sperm motility and density were assessed in the testis and epididymis. Data were analyzed statistically and CPCSEA guidelines were followed. The data shows no change in the final body weights, where as weight of testis and accessory reproductive organs were decreased in extracts treated rats. The decreased protein, glycogen, sialic acid, ascorbic acid and fructose content indicative of reduction of androgens. The mature sperm number in seminiferous tubule, motility and density significantly declined with the treatment reduced fertility of the extracts treated rats. The antispermatogenic effects of the drug reduced the number of spermatocytes and spermatozoa in the lumens of seminiferous tubules and sperm motility. The presence of spermatogonia in the germinal epithelium of the treated rats indicates possible reversibility after discontinuations of the extracts treatment.

References: [1] Waites, G.M.H. (2003) Development of methods of male contraception: impact of the WHO Task Force Fertil Steril 80:1-15. [2] Verma, A.K. et al. (2007) J. Ethnobio. Ethnomed. 3-35. [3] Akerele, O. (1984) WHO chronicle 38:76-81. [4] Mathur, R. (1985) Fertility control through plant products in recent advances in zoology (ed) CBL Srivastava and SC Goel, Rastogi Publication Co. Meerut 107-116. [5] Griffin, P.D. (1996) The annual technical report 1995, WHO, Geneva, 73-87. [6] Vasudeva, N. and Sharma, S.K. (2006) J. Ethnopharmacol. 107:179-181.