Effects of methanol extracts of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed on male reproductive system of mice

Abstract

SUMMARYThe antifertility activity of methanol extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem (MECR) and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed (MECO) were studied on male Swiss albino mice. The extracts were found to decrease sperm count, percentage of motile sperm and testosterone level in treated mice when compared with vehicle control after 17 days of treatment. The weight of gonads, epididymis were decreased whereas no significant changes of the body weight of mice were observed after methanol extract treatments. The fertility test showed 100% negative result in MECR and MECO treated mice at medium and high dose level of treatment. MECR and MECO in low (25 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, respectively), medium (50 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively) and high (75 mg/ kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively) dose level caused a simultaneous fall in testicular Δ5-3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities which are involved in testicular steroidogenesis. Total cholesterol and ascorbic acid content in testis were increased significantly in gonads. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase and ascorbic acid oxidase were reduced whereas that of carbonic anhydrase was increased significantly in the testis of MECR and MECO treated mice. All these observations indicate that the methanol extract of C. reflexa stem and C. olitorius seed produced antifertility activity in sexually matured male mice, which may be due to inhibition of gonadal steroidogenesis. This activity may be attributed due to the presence of flavonoids and steroids, respectively.

A Comprehensive Review of C. capsularis and C. olitorius: A Source of Nutrition, Essential Phytoconstituents and Pharmacological Activities

“… [ 45 ] Antifertility activity C. olitorius Seed Methanol Seed extract inhibited male reproductive capacity in sexually mature mice, since it interferes with gonadal steroidogenesis. [ 144 ] Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic C. capsularis Leaf Chloroform Reduce the number of abdominal constrictions that was confirming its traditional use of inflammatory and pain-related diseases. It is also linked to curing chronic urinary bladder inflammation.…”

“…On the other hand, the fertility test by MECO treated with medium and high dose in male mice showed 100% negative results, and different dose levels resulted in a simultaneous decrease in testicular Δ 5 -3β-hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, both of which are involved in testicular steroidogenesis [ 144 ]. In the testis of MECO-treated mice, the activities of ascorbic acid oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, and malic dehydrogenase were decreased, whereas carbonic anhydrase activity was significantly increased.…”

Comparative Effects of Methanol and Aqueous Extracts of Corchorus olitorius Plant on Haematology and Some Reproductive Indices of Male Wistar Rats

“…The rats because of their marked anatomical homology to the human cardiovascular system (Casteleyn et al 2017), proved valuable in psychological studies of learning and other mental processes (Vandernbergh, 2000), a study also found rats to possess metacognition, a mental ability previously documented in humans as reported by Foote et al (2007) and Wallinford et al (2010). Pal et al (2009) reported some antifertility effects of methanol extract of Corchorus olitorious while Oyedeji et al (2013) reported the antifertility effect of the aqueous extract of the plant. Thus, the study aimed to compare the effects of methanol and aqueous extracts of Corchorus olitorious leaves on some reproductive indices in male Wistar rats.…”