To determine the effect of exposure of calcium channel blocker Amlodipine for different periods on the reproductive parameters of adult male Wistar albino rats Amlodipine in a dose equivalent to the normal clinical dose was administered orally to albino rats in their reproductive age for different periods ranging from two weeks to eighteen weeks and the reproductive parameters such as sperm count, motility and gonado-somatic index were verified. Reproductive parameters such as sperm count and sperm motility were found to be adversely affected in a significant (p<0.05) and duration dependent manner from 28th day onward of once daily administration of Amlodipine while gonado-somatic index was decreased significantly (p<0.05) from 42nd day of continuous administration Potential risk of the calcium channel blocker Amlodipine on male fertility, especially on long term use must be considered while prescribing this drug to young adults.

The present study originated from the reports of adverse effects on male reproductive potential caused by the dihydropyridine derivative type calcium channel blockers, which are widely used agents for different cardiovascular disorders. The study was conducted to verify whether the repeated administration of this type of calcium channel blockers can cause any testicular DNA damage and if so, whether the damage can be modified by the co-administration of a herbal protective agent. The study was conducted in male Wistar albino rats. The testicular DNA damage of different groups of rats was evaluated by comet assay taking percentage DNA in comet tail as the main parameter. It was found that oral administration of the widely used dihydropyridine type calcium channel blocker amlodipine produced a duration- dependent and significant (P<0.001) DNA damage in the testes of Wistar albino rats. The co- administration of the alcoholic extract of seeds of Asteracantha longifolia produced a dose dependent and significant ((P<0.001) protective effect against this amlodipine-induced testicular DNA damage.