Effect of Hydro-ethanolic (1 : 1) Extract of Stephania Hernandifolia and Achyranthes Aspera in Composite Manner on Testicular Activity in Male Albino Rat: A Dose Dependent Analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Stephania hernandifolia leaves and Achyranthes aspera roots in composite manner at the ratio of 1 : 3 on testicular activity in male rats.MethodsRats were divided into 4 groups with 8 animals in each group. The control (group A) received 0.5 ml of olive oil/100 g body weight orally, other three groups were treated with said extract orally at a dose of 0.4 mg/g (group B) or 0.8 mg/g (group C) or 1.6 mg/g body weight (group D) respectively for 28 d. On 29th day of experiment, the animals were sacrificed. Sperm concentrations in cauda epididymis and biochemical markers like testicular cholesterol, androgenic key enzyme activity, plasma testosterone level, seminal fructose level, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activities and serum triglyceride levels were measured following standard methods.ResultsExtract treated animals in all doses resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in sperm concentration, testicular androgenic key enzyme activity, plasma testosterone and seminal vesicle fructose levels along with an increase in testicular cholesterol level. Animals treated at a dose of 0.8 mg/g body weight showed more promising result without causing any metabolic toxicity compared with other doses. Histological study also supported the biochemical results. The minimum but most effective dose i.e. 0.8 mg/g body weight had an inhibitory effect on implantation focused here by mating experiment.ConclusionThe composite extract of S. hernandifolia and A. aspera has a potent efficacy as male contraceptive that may provide clues to the pharmaceutical industries for male contraceptive development.